Heavenly Perspective

And everyone who has left houses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children, or fields because of My name will receive 100 times more and will inherit eternal life. - Matthew 19:29

One day, Peter (considering his own personal sacrifice in having followed Jesus), told (or rather reminded) the Lord of everything he had given up to be His disciple. From our perspective, this seems a little ridiculous, doesn't it? Then again, perhaps we only see the encounter from this side of the cross and may sometimes be just as guilty as Peter in overstating our case.

Isn't it possible to perceive our sacrifices from an "earthly" rather than "heavenly" perspective? From heaven, which is to say eternity, all our sacrifices seem small. Our sufferings are truly for a moment, but our rewards are forever. On earth, however, these same sufferings and sacrifices can overwhelm us and cause us to wonder if they are truly necessary. We, like Peter (as he walked to Jesus on the stormy sea and began to focus on the wind and waves), may lose focus and begin to sink in despair.

I do not know what the Savior will ask you to sacrifice for His service, but God will give you the grace to do it, whatever it is.

He who gives what he would as readily throw away, gives without generosity; for the essence of generosity is in self sacrifice. - Henry Taylor