When I first started seriously thinking about becoming a disciple of Jesus, I’ll be honest I braced myself for the sacrifices. I thought following Him meant giving up a lot of things I loved, or at least things that felt really important to me at the time.
You know that feeling when someone tells you, “It’s going to be hard, but it’s worth it”? That’s kind of what I expected. Like I’d be constantly battling my desires, trying to be “holy enough,” and saying painful goodbyes to people, habits, or parts of myself.
But here’s what actually happened: once I made the change... it didn’t feel like sacrifice at all.
Sounds weird, right?
Let me explain. “Sacrifice” means giving up something you really want, something that matters to you. But now, as I grow in my Catholic journey, I’ve noticed my wants have started to change. My priorities have shifted.
What I truly desire most now is to be close to Jesus.
And when that becomes your top priority, a lot of the other stuff that once seemed important just sort of... drops off. Not dramatically. Not like a painful amputation. More like realizing you don’t really wear those shoes anymore, so you shed them. They served you once, but they’re not part of your walk now.
It is not painful sacrifice but a happy choice.
Think of it like this: Imagine you’re sharing a room with a close friend, and it's time to paint the walls. You have your heart set on a soft olive green - calming, earthy, totally your vibe. But your friend is in love with this bright coral shade that makes you feel like you’re living inside a tropical smoothie.
You chat, you gently argue, but eventually, you let her have her way. You say, Okay, coral it is. But deep down, you’re not happy about it. Every time you walk into the room, that coral wall feels like a reminder of what you didn’t get. You start saying things like, “I sacrificed for her.”
But did you really?
Or was it just a choice you made that you’re still not at peace with?
See, that’s the thing - choices become sacrifices when we’re dissatisfied with the choice we made. When we say yes to something outwardly but carry a no in our hearts, it lingers. It becomes a “begrudging choice.” One that tastes a little bitter every time we remember it.
Now flip that story.
What if, instead, every time you saw that coral wall, you remembered your friend’s face lighting up when she saw it painted? What if you focused on her happiness, her excitement, her joy? Suddenly, it doesn’t feel like a sacrifice anymore. It feels like the right choice. One made from love. One you’re at peace with.
That’s the kind of shift I’ve experienced with Jesus. What felt like it might be full of sacrifice turned out to be a series of peaceful choices and none of them I’ve regretted. Because each one brought me closer to what I truly want: Him.
So if you’re standing on the edge, thinking about walking with Jesus and worried about the “sacrifices” - I get it. But remember, it’s not about giving things up; it’s about learning to love Him more and more. Let that love shape your choices. Focus on Him, be gentle with yourself, and embrace the discipline that helps your heart grow closer to His.
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