Worthless Sacrifice? All You Need is Love!

"And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." -Mark 12:33

As a missionary, I often have people talk to me about how much I sacrifice to be doing what I am doing. They talk about my willingness to leave family and friends to go to a foreign country and serve. They talk about the "creature comforts" that I have given up to live in a third world country. While there is some truth in that, the other side to look at is what I have gained. For instance, I love the school where I teach, and I have tremendous support. I have a relationship with the kids that goes deeper than is possible in the States. I not only can talk about Jesus freely with the kids, but I am EXPECTED to share my faith with them. There are no restrictions placed on me because of the twisted cry, "Separation of church and state!" I have fewer distractions without TV. I've learned to plan ahead because I can only get to the city twice a week. All in all, there are many more benefits to being here than sacrifices made. That being said, even if I sacrificed everything to be here, it still would not be enough. The scribe in Mark 12:33 understood that loving God totally and completely was greater than any sacrifice made. It does not matter what or how much we give up, but rather our devotion to the Lord that takes precedence. When that is the standard, how do I measure up? Do I serve the Lord wholeheartedly because of my devotion to Him, or do I hope my "sacrifices" will somehow score me points? How much time do I spend with the Lord on a daily basis, preparing to do my service? I am not saying that I do not do these things, but when closely examined, do I really put the Lord God above all else in my life? Some days, yes, but other days, not enough. It does not matter how much I have sacrificed to serve as a missionary in a foreign country. When I am not loving the Lord God with all my heart, soul, and strength, I am missing the mark and all my sacrifice is worthless.