Eggs or Bacon?

In an episode of Grey's Anatomy which I only vaguely recall, a man struggling in his relationship to his lover was presented with the difference between eggs and bacon. The egg represents only a small sacrifice from the chicken. But the bacon represents a total sacrifice from the pig. In Grey's Anatomy, the man decided that he wanted to be a pig instead of a chicken, and committed to a relationship with his girlfriend.

I can't help but think that a relationship with God presents the same set of decisions. My faith can most definitely be categorized as "chicken Christianity." I do give my time and money, and attempt to live out disciplined faith and love others. I spend my Sunday mornings in church, worshiping God, but as I listen to the sermon each Sunday, I am confronted with the reality that what God REALLY desires is that I become a pig.

Before I continue - I want to clarify something. My faith is based on GRACE, and not actions. My standing with God does not depend on what I do. BUT, my relationship with God, like any relationship, is dependent on what I'm willing to put into it.

The truth is that I'm afraid to be a pig. I think I live a chicken life that is more like a free range chicken life - comfortable. Despite everything I know and believe about God, I somehow think that if I choose to sacrifice my own life, that I'll become miserable and impoverished.

The great irony is that I really, truly believe that God knows me better than I know myself AND that he loves me very much. Put those together, and am I not better off turning my life away from my own messed-up intentions and putting it into his very capable hands? The reality is that living a life that is characterized by sacrifice will be much better for me than a life characterized simply by giving. A life of sacrifice may call for us to give up everything, but in doing so, we gain the one thing that is truly eternal and truly matters in life - a solid relationship with God.

So, I leave with you the same challenge that I face myself: are you giving God eggs or bacon?