People in areas along the Appalachian Mountains are familiar with stories, and pictures of miners headed off to work in the mines. They would carry their lunch in pails similar to the one pictured and would be underground for their full shift. These were hard working men who sacrificed for their families just as the women did working to manage the home and children above ground. If you need a short story on the life of a coal miner check out this song from Loretta Lynn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9eHp7JJgq8)
Sacrifice is not uncommon to many or at least it was not a generation ago. There are many stories of heroic sacrifice from the military, police, fire, and medical fields. These are great examples of sacrifice and not to be diminished, but God is looking for the daily ongoing sacrifice of trust, obedience, and doing all things for his glory. God has created in all people inner, spiritual, traits the primary trait is worship and the second that is fundamental to worship according to Romans 12:1 is sacrifice.
Today as we pick up our lunch pail and head back into the mines of our daily life let us be reminded of the joy and glory that it brings to our Father when we sacrifice daily for those given to our care. When we offer our entire body and being for God’s purposes and glory. There are responsibilities in this week, burdensome tasks, and many times we will need to go beyond serving ourselves and to serve God by serving others.
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
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