Joyful Surrender – Leviticus 1–3

This is the part of the Bible
where people give up—
and rightly so.
Bulls and birds, blood and fire,
a wilderness of rules and ritual
far from the songs we sing.

But stop—
breathe in the smoke.
Smell the grain, the roasted meat.
Feel the weight of hands
on a creature’s head,
its life for yours.

We surrender things all the time—
degrees, careers, our youth,
our sleep, our savings—
for dreams,
for children,
for love.
We know how to give
when we think it’s worth it.

And who is more worthy
than the One who gave first?
Jesus, the better offering,
the blood that ended bloodshed.

The burnt offering said,
“All of me is Yours.”
Not the dodgy cow,
but the best,
laid down,
lit up.

The grain offering said,
“Thank You.”
Bread from the hands of the grateful,
not the bottom shelf
but flour sifted fine
because grace deserves
no less.

The fellowship offering said,
“Come, eat.”
Not just God,
but all of us—
shoulder to shoulder,
smiling over grilled lamb,
because mercy tastes better shared.

We do not bring animals now.
But we bring time,
we bring money,
we bring hearts.
We bring weary hands and willing ones.

And we say:
Here is my life.
Burn it all if You want.
Make it a sweet aroma
in the courts of heaven.
Because You are good.
Because You are near.
Because You are worth it.

Is that your heart?
Do you wake with thanks,
and not complaint?

Draw near.
God still meets His people.
Not in a tent—
but at a table,
with bread broken,
and blood poured.

And joy.
Always joy.

Original message by Andrew West, The Bridge Church Macquarie Park NSW
4 May 2025