As the World Race approaches I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it really means to live a life that’s all about love and sacrifice. You know, the kind of love that’s selfless and doesn’t come with strings attached. I’ve been reading a book that my grandma gave me called In His Steps. The author Charles M. Sheldon says, “It is easy to love an individual sinner…. To love a multitude of sinners is distinctively a Christ-like quality.” And honestly, it got me thinking—are we really ready to give that kind of sacrificial love?

I know, it sounds intense. We live in a world that’s all about doing what feels good and getting something in return. This world is all about gain. However, Matthew 16:24-26 says, “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
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What if we flipped the worlds idea of gain on its head? What if we started asking ourselves if we’re truly hungry for sacrifice, not just in big, dramatic ways, but in our everyday lives?

Imagine this. You’ve got a packed schedule, and you’re exhausted. But then a friend calls you, totally stressed out and needing to talk. Do you take a break from your busy life to help them out? Or maybe you’re at an event and notice someone sitting alone. It might be easier to stick with your usual crowd, but what if you took a moment to reach out and include them?

Sacrifice doesn’t always have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes, it’s the little things—the moments where we choose to put others first, even when it costs us something. And it’s not just about making a sacrifice; it’s about being hungry for it. It’s about finding joy in giving, even when there’s no reward for us.

Think about the idea of loving people unconditionally. It’s easy to love those who love us back, but what about those who are tough to deal with or who don’t seem to care? That’s where it gets hard and it definitely isn’t easy. Christ didn’t call us to easy he called us to exceeding. Going beyond what the world says and stepping out in faith. But that’s also where it matters most. Loving people who might not seem deserving or who might not return the favor can be a powerful way to reflect that deep, Christ-like love.

I challenge you, next time you’re faced with a choice where you could make a sacrifice—whether it’s giving up your time, your comfort, or your resources—ask yourself if you’re hungry for it. Are you willing to embrace the challenge and step out of your comfort zone to show love?

I think that’s what makes life truly meaningful. It’s not just about the big, heroic things, but about the everyday choices that reflect a heart eager to love deeply and selflessly. Let’s make a habit of it, one small sacrifice at a time.