Genesis 22 describes the story of God's test of Abraham's faith. God asks Abraham to perform the unthinkable task of sacrificing his only son Isaac. Despite the repulsiveness of this deed, Abraham obediently complies, literally taking his own son up the mountain for slaughter. At the last moment, when Abraham has Isaac bound and prepared for a fiery death, God interjects and tells Abraham to slay a wondering ram instead. God says that Abraham's acceptance of God's will shows that he is truly loyal and committed to sacrificial devotion. In appreciation for Abraham's integrity God blesses him and his descendants, declaring that they will be successful blessings to the world.
True sacrifice, as in Genesis 22, happens when a person is so devoted to their moral code that they are willing to suffer to do that which is justified in the end.
In contemporary American culture we do not experience much "true sacrifice." Nearly everyone possesses a high-quality cell phone or computer, often regardless of family income. Specific brands of clothing, cars, and shoes are highly esteemed, while others are disdained for being "cheaper." Social media encourages people to proclaim their feelings, thoughts, and criticisms for others to then approve or disapprove of. Much of America's youth spends countless hours and dollars on movies and shopping yearly, and consumerism is more pervasive now than ever in American culture. In short, people in America tend to focus constantly on themselves, totally wrapped up in social tension, consumerism, and self-indulgence.
What would happen, then, if an American teenager today was asked to sacrifice something they truly loved, say their dog, or their best friend, Fantasy Football or Zelda, for some unnamed voice that drifts on the wind and gives mysterious orders to those on Earth? Many of them would react by placing their left hands on their foreheads, index fingers and thumbs at erect right angles, and sneering at whatever intangible force was attempting to ruin their lives.
The sense of sacrifice is especially lost on Americans, as opposed to other cultures, because everything in its past and nature has screamed: "Why can't we have that?" In many ways, the go-getter, optimist attitude of American culture has been beneficial, but in many ways it has made us stubborn and blind to compromise and to moral codes when they may stand between us and what we want. The exploitation of Africans and mistreatment of the Native Americans are but two (though very significant) examples of the failure of Americans to recognize the need for sacrifice. In retrospect, sacrificing some of the gold and land the North American west had to offer is a small price to pay in order to retain dignity and avoid the tragedy and injustice of genocide. But at the time, Manifest Destiny sounded like a great idea, because who wasn't on board for having land and money?
In general Americans tend to do more bending of "God's will" (or the moral code or whatever may be worth sacrificing for) to fit their immediate desires than they do bending to God's will.
Meaningful sacrifice, though, can be seen when the blindfolds of luxury, power, and ambition are stripped away. In times such as the Great Depression, the focus of everyone was what would help those they loved and those who were in need, not only what would make themselves happy. Parents worked multiple jobs, sons and daughters worked to keep food on the table, and those in power created social and labor programs for those who were struggling through the hard times.
"True sacrifice," might only happen when one truly puts the concerns of another above their own. For example, the rich give to the poor, knowing that they can have everything, but preferring that they have less if it means they are doing what is right. In the case of Abraham and Isaac, Abraham was lucky enough to have a son who he loved like any parent would, but knowing that saving his son's life might not be "right," he readily gave him up to those he put before him, in this case being God.
True sacrifice, as in Genesis 22, happens when a person is so devoted to their moral code that they are willing to suffer to do that which is justified in the end.
In contemporary American culture we do not experience much "true sacrifice." Nearly everyone possesses a high-quality cell phone or computer, often regardless of family income. Specific brands of clothing, cars, and shoes are highly esteemed, while others are disdained for being "cheaper." Social media encourages people to proclaim their feelings, thoughts, and criticisms for others to then approve or disapprove of. Much of America's youth spends countless hours and dollars on movies and shopping yearly, and consumerism is more pervasive now than ever in American culture. In short, people in America tend to focus constantly on themselves, totally wrapped up in social tension, consumerism, and self-indulgence.
What would happen, then, if an American teenager today was asked to sacrifice something they truly loved, say their dog, or their best friend, Fantasy Football or Zelda, for some unnamed voice that drifts on the wind and gives mysterious orders to those on Earth? Many of them would react by placing their left hands on their foreheads, index fingers and thumbs at erect right angles, and sneering at whatever intangible force was attempting to ruin their lives.
The sense of sacrifice is especially lost on Americans, as opposed to other cultures, because everything in its past and nature has screamed: "Why can't we have that?" In many ways, the go-getter, optimist attitude of American culture has been beneficial, but in many ways it has made us stubborn and blind to compromise and to moral codes when they may stand between us and what we want. The exploitation of Africans and mistreatment of the Native Americans are but two (though very significant) examples of the failure of Americans to recognize the need for sacrifice. In retrospect, sacrificing some of the gold and land the North American west had to offer is a small price to pay in order to retain dignity and avoid the tragedy and injustice of genocide. But at the time, Manifest Destiny sounded like a great idea, because who wasn't on board for having land and money?
In general Americans tend to do more bending of "God's will" (or the moral code or whatever may be worth sacrificing for) to fit their immediate desires than they do bending to God's will.
Meaningful sacrifice, though, can be seen when the blindfolds of luxury, power, and ambition are stripped away. In times such as the Great Depression, the focus of everyone was what would help those they loved and those who were in need, not only what would make themselves happy. Parents worked multiple jobs, sons and daughters worked to keep food on the table, and those in power created social and labor programs for those who were struggling through the hard times.
"True sacrifice," might only happen when one truly puts the concerns of another above their own. For example, the rich give to the poor, knowing that they can have everything, but preferring that they have less if it means they are doing what is right. In the case of Abraham and Isaac, Abraham was lucky enough to have a son who he loved like any parent would, but knowing that saving his son's life might not be "right," he readily gave him up to those he put before him, in this case being God.
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