OFFERING
Today's reading: Leviticus 1-3

Offering-the act of one who offers; something offered.

Offer-to present as an act of worship or devotion; to present for acceptance or rejection; to present in order to satisfy a requirement; to make available.

These first few chapters of Leviticus talk about burnt offerings, grain offerings and peace offerings.

Practices that seem foreign to us. Rituals requiring more effort and determination than a lot of us would care to put forth. Traditions that pre-date our grandparents and our denominations.

But it's important to understand them.

It's vital that we see sin as something that must be dealt with, forgiveness sought and relationship restored.

What struck me was the portion of Merriam-Webster's definition that states, 'to present for acceptance of rejection'.

That places value and importance on our own offerings to God. We tend to believe God will accept what we 'throw at Him' because He is God--not so!

He can accept or reject what we present to Him.

He can deem it an honorable attempt at worshiping Him, or see it as a distraction from what truly needs done, which is our hearts being changed.

He can see through the ritual right down to the marrow of our intentions.

What I offer Him today will be more carefully thought over, more intentional, more heart-felt than ever before.