Blemished sacrifices...

I've been doing an essay on the subject of giving recently...

Upon completing the essay, I realized that God had been speaking to me. Consequently, I have begun a study on the Book of Malachi.

It is a very humbling book. Basically, it brought God's warning and judgment upon the Israelites who had broken their covenant with Him through multiple offenses. Throughout the rebuking, there is a tone of great anguish and grief. Like that of a giving Lover who has been repeatedly taken for granted, rejected and betrayed. Reading the book makes me so sad and convicted myself. Can anyone for that matter be addressed by God in such a manner and not be humbled... save perhaps one with a heart of stone?

How different are we today from them who disobeyed God in the past?

One thing that strikes me: Are we giving God our leftover time, energy and resources? While yes, we should live our days to the fullest... do we give Him the best of each day? The New Testament no longer talks about tithing ten percent... but the giving of our whole selves to God. 100 percent. Naked we have come into this world...and naked we will leave. Even the clothes on our backs do not really belong to us - it is only by God's grace we have them... and therefore there is really no sacrifice we can make for our God. Rather, it is imperative that we give ourselves back to Him who laid down even His life for our sins.

I confess - it is so easy to forget that. In my assignments marathon, I strive because I fear deadlines. I fear getting an F mark in my report card. While I am often conscious that God is equipping me for His Kingdom work through the lectures and stuff, being human... I forget that my ultimate purpose of pressing on during the hard times is because He called me. I grow resentful and impatient. I rush through my Quiet-time just so that I can get back to ploughing through His Word in a methodical fashion - just so that I can get my exegetical essays done. (Seriously, I understand now...why some people can be Bible scholars without being Christians. It's terrible!)

Wow. I am in danger of offering God blemished sacrifices.

GOD FORBID. Lord help me! :(

What I want for Christmas is therefore... not my two front teeth :D - but a recommitment to give myself wholly and unreservedly to Jesus Christ. And may it be so... Emmanuel.