Savor the Sacrifice

A common thread runs through most of our Easters past. We decide which of three worship services to attend, usually the middle one, because it doesn't force us to get up too early, but we still get out of church early enough to drive the hour to my parents' house before lunch. Where everyone's waiting.

My family is the only church-attending family, so one of my sisters complains the schedule on Easter always revolves around me. By the time we arrive, there's a bit of tension in the air. In fact, we've missed major drama a couple times (which I've been thankful for!). Yet I love spending time with my extended family on Easter. I grew up on a family farm, and when the weather is nice, we spend the afternoon in creating scavengar hunts around the property. My parents have created fun ways for the kids and adults to enjoy the day, and many of their ideas grew into traditions. We always end up having a great day.

But it's the beginning that's rough. Getting to and from church. "Fitting in" worship. Rush, rush, rush. Not this year. When my sister mentioned (once again) the schedule revolving around me, I reminded her that we wouldn't even be celebrating Easter as a family if it weren't for Jesus Christ, so my priority was unhesitatantly and unashamedly going to be worship first. Yet as I spoke those words, God challenged me, "Is worship really your priority, Susan?" Ouch. Of course, my intention in going to Easter worship services has been to worship, but what's my heartitude been when I can barely slow down enough to sit still? Or I sit like a spectator, expecting to be entertained? Or I'm critical of a song choice, video clip, or message length?

Okay, God, I get the point. So our family talked, and we're making worship a priority this year. We're going to a different worship service at a different church to help jolt us out of our routine rut. We'll have time together before and after worship to prepare and savor. To savor Jesus' sacrifice and triumphant resurrection. To savor God's sacrifice.

God created time, so I don't need to rush. God gave me Jesus, so I don't need to die. The least I can do is live for him. I'm choosing to savor the sacrifice.

So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. - Luke 24:52 (NLT)