Give until it hurts?! Really?! I mean, how much pain are we talking about? I understand giving as much as I can handle... enough so that I can maintain an acceptable measure of comfort in my life. You know, you're not inconvenienced, I'm not inconvenienced... that kind of thing. I'm okay with that, but HURT... hurt scares me.

We know we have a Savior who gave everything, his entire life, for us. But he was God and man! He can't possibly ask that much from us. Yet he does. We may not face crucifixion, or may not experience persecution in New Testament-like proportions. But dying to ourselves and dying for the sake of others is part of the deal. It's part of what it means for us to follow Jesus.

So we are the type of people who should live with less so that others can have more. We are those who should relinquish our pride and our "rights" so that others may have the opportunity to experience grace and humility. We are the ones who should make peace, especially when others don't deserve it or have no intention of finding it.

Until...
It...
Hurts.

Help us, Lord. Especially me, and those like me who find this very difficult.