Sacrifices

For a long time I thought the word sacrifice was limited to historical pagans, baseball and hard work.  Anything resembling “an offering to honor or appease a god, especially of a ritually slaughtered animal or person”1 could not possibility exist in the twenty-first century!  In hindsight I forgot two things.  First, we have more gods in our lives than anyone is willing to discuss.  Second, the ability of any human to act as if he or she lived in the early dawn of mankind is alive and well.
 
My naivet? has been gradually eroded and finally banished during the past five years.  Initially I believed in the corporate goals of remaining competitive in an increasingly integrated world.  The financial pressures were increasing on all sides, businesses were facing legitimate threats, and drastic action was required in anyone was going to survive.  It was as if the surgery would protect the ability of the patient to survive.
 
I still accept the early premise I was given.  Yet the reasonable and pragmatic premise has clearly morphed into a goal within itself.  Nothing is sacred today.  Trust is expendable.  Integrity is optional.  Truth is a scarce commodity.  If the processes being mandated across many corporations actually saved money I might be able to understand the intent.  Much of the time just the opposite is occurring! 
 
Given the absurdity of it all it would seem that sacrificing oneself for a cause is rather pointless.  Yet sacrifices are very powerful events.  People begin to see the truth!  If you and I stand for truth, even if I lose everything, people will see and experience truth.  If we fight and die for mercy and compassion then people will have a taste of heaven.  The model set by Jesus when he said “and I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me” (John 12.32) remains intact.
 
I wonder if I know my God.  I wonder if I am willing to be a sacrifice.  I hope so, on both counts.
 
1  MSN’s Encarta Dictionary