Sacrifice

This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the October 2001 conference.

President James E. Faust quoted a friend of his, James S. Jardine, from a book titled Consecration and Learning, On becoming a Disciple-Scholar,

When we sacrifice our talents or our earthly or academic honors or our increasingly limited time on the alter to God, the act of sacrifice binds our hearts to Him, and we feel our love for Him increase.

When we render any service in the kingdom--be it teaching a . . . lesson or dry pack canning at Welfare Square--it will be of much less value to us if we only see it as a 'To Do' item . . . But if we visualize ourselves laying on the altar to God our talents or our time commitment, such as in attending an inconvenient church meeting, then our sacrifice becomes personal and devotional to Him. 

Most of the time I remember this and do fairly well at putting God first. But in those times when it is hardest I know that I'm missing out on blessings and inspiration by not sacrificing my time, talents, and feelings to serve. This is one of those quotes I can make a small poster of and hang up to remind me.