Being and Doing – 5 July – Meaning of Sacrifice

THE way of God is the way of sacrifice.   But let us not mistake the meaning of the word.

It has been well said that ‘in the hours of clear reason we should say that we had never made a sacrifice;’  and again it may be said, no less well, that all which we delight to recall is sacrifice.

For sacrifice properly describes not loss to man but devotion to God;  not suffering, but dedication;  not the foregoing of that which we might have enjoyed, but the conversion of that which was offered to us for a time into an eternal possession;  the investment of things unstable and fleeting with a power of unchangeable joy.

Bishop WESTCOTT

IT IS that deep principle of all true life which represents the affinity – latent, oppressed by circumstances, repressed by sin, but always there – between our human nature and the Divine, and through subjection to which we reassume our birthright as ‘the sons of God;’  conscience to see, and will to choose not what shall please ourselves, but – the highest and purest aim that life presents to us.

J. C. BROWN, from Ethics of George Eliot

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These quotes are from ‘Being and Doing’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1908 for members of the Being and Doing Guild whose object is to do all they can for the relief of suffering and misery.

Most of the writers are 19th Century Christians from Britain and Europe who were committed to living their faith through deeds as well as words – Being AND Doing.

For many years these words have kept me company and encouraged me on the journey of faith.  I hope they will encourage others also.