My new home...living in sacrifice

Well, I officially got moved to Knoxville last week. I'm not gonna lie, it has been an emotional experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be doing what I'm doing and I feel certain that this is where the Lord wants me. However, being in the will of God is sometimes one of the most difficult places to reside. It's not always fun here. It means a whole lot of sacrifice. I don't generally think we are all that good at sacrificing - I know I'm not. It's that whole flesh vs. spirit thing popping up again...

Bearing a cross daily is not about keeping us happy and comfortable. Yet it's necessary. We receive an amazing free gift of salvation, but to paint it as a costless gift is incorrect. Though we can freely receive it, it requires much in return. Not as a form of payment, but as a reflection of what was given to us. I think this is a message that is often neglected to be given. Our salvation is not a thing to receive, say a half-hearted "thanks" for, and settle into a comfortable life of relaxation and "buying our time" until glory. That makes a mockery of the gift we've been given and spits in the face of the Savior who paid the ultimate sacrifice ON OUR BEHALF. How dare we look into His hand without ever getting to know His face?

Lord, please teach us more of what it means to sacrifice for You. We are a selfish body in need of a wake up call. We repent for disrespecting your precious gift to us. Help us to be more like you and to embrace the cross we've been called to carry.