Sacrifice?

We had a long weekend this week because Friday was a very holy day for all of the Muslims, it is the day that they sacrifice a cow, a goat, and (I think) a lamb. Everything is closed, schools, offices, sometimes even the convenience stores, you can barely even find a little cafe to get some lunch in...lets just say that it is a big deal. They usually make the sacrifice in the town square at 6:00am, I could have gone, but I don't really think that it would be a good idea. 

So, since we had a long weekend I decided to just rest and practice my Indonesian as much as possible (not as much of an oxymoron as it could be) but I ended up doing a lot of thinking about what sacrifices we Christians make. This is kind of a trick questions these days, because to some Christians putting their $5 in the offering is more like a fight with your conscience than a sacrifice, whereas others spend all of their time working in the church and wont forgive their husband. There are some Christians however, who are willing to sacrifice anything and everything for what they feel that God is doing in their lives, and for what they feel He is saying to them. I know many of this kind personally. I have one friend named Kathy who spent 14 years running YWAM Turkey and now lives in Northern Iraq, a single white woman...now that is bravery and sacrifice! 

I am just wondering what we are willing to give up if it is asked of us? After the sacrifice on Friday there was a celebration, which is why the shops were all closed, it wasn't because they just didn't want to work, but because they were too busy with the party. How many Christians do you know that throw a party when they sacrifice something? It is pretty amazing to me actually. Just a few thoughts.