What is dedication? One way Webster’s defines dedication is it is “self-sacrificing devotion”. In a world full of the mindset that it’s all about me, it is very difficult to find much self-sacrificing devotion these days. However, the hardships that we encounter in life can bring that dedication to the surface. It brings us to do things sometimes that we would never dream we would do.
It reminds me of the story of the O’Neill family of Ireland. The O’Neill family has a Coat of Arms that represents their family heritage. On their Coat of Arms is a symbol…a red hand. This red hand symbolizes great devotion and sacrifice. The dedication and sacrifice of one of their family members years ago has marked a defining symbol for their family’s heritage.
Before Ireland was fully settled, the founding fathers were trying to come up with a fair way to distribute the land to the explorers. Men were participating in these expeditions to claim the land mass that would belong to their family for generations to come.
Now, legend has it that O’Neill from the province of Ulster, now in Northern Ireland, was participating in this expedition or race to possess land for his family. He was trying to beat others to be the first person whose hand touches an area of land. If he won…the land was his.
As he was racing and rowing to be the first person, another boat took the lead and he fell behind. But the dedication and self sacrificing devotion he had for his family stirred inside of him to do something extreme.
An Historian writes that “with a grim look of mingled wrath and triumph at the rival boat, the strong-minded, iron-nerved O’Neill dropped the oars, seized a battle-axe, and chopped off his left hand….and threw it to the land ahead of the other boat.” This act…made his hand the first to possess that land.
WOW…talk about self-sacrificing devotion! That is truly amazing. As I think about Paul, I realize that he had the same kind of dedication as O’Neill did. Only the dedication that Paul had was for a goal much greater than the possession of land … It was to lead people to Christ.
For Paul, winning the lost to Jesus was one of the most important things in his life. He would do absolutely anything to fulfill his mission. He mentions this passion several times in 1 Corinthians 9.
1 Corinthians 9:19 says;“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.”
Rather than exercising his rights as a freed man, Paul instead chooses to exercise self-denial and self-discipline. If you are going to be a soul-winner … If you are going to win people to Jesus Christ, (and we are all called to do this) then it is going to require dedication, and it has to be a priority!
I encourage you to examine your life. Do you exhibit the self-sacrificing devotion and dedication that you should in order to share Christ’s love with others? I truly believe that these moments of tragedy can be defining moments for us in the Kingdom of God. As you begin to seek more of who He is … I believe that God will give you the courage you need to step forward in boldness to share Christ’s love and HIS self-sacrificing devotion with others!
Michele and I bless you this week and look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Blessings,
Pastor Mark
Dedication
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