How Could I Not?

Before hopping on the plane to Africa, people would express shock, disbelief, and awe that I am about to spend the next full year in Swaziland. Sometimes I would join them in that awe - it's a huge commitment, and an opportunity that most fresh college graduates don't take. However, most of the time the reactions confused me. It was the logical, obedient decision in my head. Why were others so surprised?

In the few weeks I've been in this beautiful country, the more it has set in that I will be here for the next year. And the more I am learning about what God teaches about sacrifice.

I am making so many worldly sacrifices to be here.

I am sacrificing time with my beloved family.

I am sacrificing constant, reliable Internet access.

I am sacrificing the start of my music-teaching career, for which I worked so hard to prepare.

I am sacrificing American Horror Story marathons with my best friends.

I am sacrificing Sonic, Starbucks, Dr. Pepper, and ranch.

I am sacrificing expectations, contentment, and comfort.

As I meditate and talk to God about all this, He brings me to one of my favorite passages from Romans 12:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

My whole life is a sacrifice to God. I lay all my worldly desires at His feet so I can follow Him. And this is my true and proper worship.

Last night, our team read the story of Abraham sacrificing his son Isaac. God ordered Abraham to offer his only son as a burnt offering, so Abraham led Isaac to a mountain in Moriah. He built an altar and tied his son to it and prepared for what he was about to do. Then God intervened. "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld me from your son, your only son." Because Abraham was obedient, God provided a ram to burn in Isaac's place. 

God sees and hears my worldly desires as I lay them before Him. He will ask me to pick them back up when it is time.

At the risk of rambling too long, I am also reminded of a quote from missionary and author Katie Davis, founder of Amazima Ministries in Uganda. In a conversation with David Platt, Platt asked Davis if she believes what she does is radical. Her response is beautiful:

"No. I think it's just what is natural and what comes from Jesus, and an overflow of His love. I think what I do is abnormal. People say, 'Why do you do what you do?' or 'How do you do what you do?' But in light of what Christ has done for me, how could I not?"

How can I spend a whole year in a third-world country? In light of what Christ has done for me, how could I not?