Love That Sacrifices

I got to take my granddaughter out for donuts recently. What a treat! I finished mine, and as my wife and I waited for our grand-little one to finish hers, Hallie noticed that she had something I no longer had. She pushed her remaining donut across the table and said, “Want some? I will share.” While the half-eaten donut was not very appealing, her heart to sacrifice and share was such a reflection of Jesus to me.

The more I understand love, the more I realize that it always involves sacrifice.

Jesus didn’t just talk about love. He demonstrated it in the most powerful way possible—by giving Himself completely. The Bible challenges us today:

“Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:2, NIV)

That’s the standard. Not comfort. Not convenience. Sacrifice.

When I look at my life, I have to ask: What am I willing to give up for the sake of love? My time? My preferences? My pride? My agenda?

This is what I know to be true: real love costs something!

Real love means I show up when it’s inconvenient. I serve when no one notices. I give when it stretches me. I forgive when it hurts. I move closer when I want to run.

This is where following Jesus becomes real. It’s not just belief—it’s action. The amazing thing is, God never asks me to do something He hasn’t already done. He went first. He loved first. He sacrificed first. He gave it all first!

So my daily response is simply to follow His lead.

Today, I want to look for opportunities to love sacrificially. Not out of obligation, but out of gratitude. I want to “give myself away”... Just like Jesus. Let’s pray together:

Dear Father, thank You for showing me what love looks like through Jesus. Help me to live a life of sacrifice. Give me the courage to put others before myself and to love in ways that cost me something. In the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Never forget, my friend—

You are a miracle!