Ablation or Oblation

Chronic Illness, Uncategorized

The word Ablation has been on my mind lately, after the procedure the Doctor performed on my Occipital Nerve last month, to literally burn away the offensive nerve that was causing me such pain. It took longer than normal for my fibro-heightened body to let go that nerve, but eventually it did. And Praise God I am so grateful for every bit of relief that has come to my headpains.

But over these past few weeks, another word has also risen in my thoughts: Oblation, and I wondered how those two words would contrast each other.

Definition of oblation

1 : the act of making a religious offering specifically, capitalized : the act of offering the eucharistic elements to God 2 : something offered in worship or devotion : a holy gift offered usually at an altar or shrine

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Definition of ablation

: the process of ablating: such as a : surgical removal b : loss of a part (such as ice from a glacier or the outside of a nose cone) by melting or vaporization

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

From Strong’s Concordance as defined at Bible Hub’s site, the very first time oblation is used in the Bible is Leviticus 1:2

Oblation, that is offered, offering; Or qurban {koor-bawn’}; from qarab; something brought near the altar, i.e. A sacrificial present — oblation, that is offered, offering.

Biblehub, Strong’s Concordance

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.

Leviticus 1:2 KJV

But what did Jesus say about this very word? He used that word “Corban,” when He was cutting through the rituals that the Pharisees had set up for themselves.

But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.

Mark 7:11 KJV

The Pharisees had made their own ritualistic games to avoid taking care of their aging parents. To set themselves above such service, they counted out their funds and marked some as corban, to be used later for offerings and tithes, so of course they could not use that to serve or to help their aging parents. “WOE unto you,” Jesus cried out over them. They had set aside God’s commands to honor their parents, for the sake of their own rituals and financial schemes.

I would not do that kind of thing, I’ve always told myself. I would not set aside an offering, but I would give what God asked of me. And yet . . .

When I remembered how I had laid on the table face-down for my own Ablation procedure, this killing-off of my own nerve cells, I wondered about those times that I had chosen to “kill off” something in my own heart, in order to avoid making a true offering to the Lord. . . . Doesn’t He ask us to die to self? Doesn’t He ask us to lay down our lives?

Yes, He does ask for our very heart and soul–to be OFFERED up to Him. Over and over again throughout the Old Testament, the Israelite people were instructed to make their offerings at the altar, the Holy Place, the place where the Presence of God dwelt. Even those Pharisees knew the difference. An offering is no gift until it has been given.

In the same way, I can look into my own heart and see those places where I thought it better to hide away my gift than to truly offer it to the Lord. He is here, we are His Holy Temple now, and He has asked us to lift up our lives in this Holy Place, this Living, as HIS for a gift made unto Him.

Even recently, as I have been pondering my writing, and my sharing of words with those I love, it has been easier for me to just “kill off” those parts of my heart that I would rather not take the risk to share. But Jesus asks us to offer our words and our thoughts up to Him. He will receive those offerings and use them as He sees best.

After I came back from the Ablation, He asked for my Oblation when I had not even looked at that word yet. My night time surges of pain, often feel like a reaction to the stresses that have come over my body. I’ve learned that I cannot fight that pain, or it will only get worse. So I have asked Jesus to help my body to rest with Him, and to let the waves wash over me, trusting that He will hold me there.

But the invitation from my Lord shifted slightly, as I had begun to follow Him down the road of recognizing that my debt had been paid already. It was in my recent post here, when I reviewed my friend Cheryl’s book, when Jesus began to lift that debt load away from me. I am not in debt to this disease. What then, am I to do when those waves of pain wash over me?

“Lift up the pain, as an Oblation to Me, and picture the sacrifice on the altar rising as pure incense before Me. It’s not yours to hold onto, to fight against, or even to figure out.”

Have you heard Him calling to your heart, asking for an offering? Is it something that you would rather hide away? Or perhaps there seem to be strings attached to that offering, holding you back from letting go?

My heart longs to join you in prayer today. Even as our Lord is calling us all, He is calling us each, one by one by one.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the gift of relief when Your Holy Spirit opens a way before us that had long been closed and blocked off. But today we also want to thank You for the pain and the struggles that cause us to look up with questioning gaze. For it is here, in our questions, that You utter an invitation–an invitation to offer up those very things that hurt our souls so deeply. We know that we cannot do that on our own. We do see how we have lived as if we are in debt to those pains. Help us now to lift up the questions, to offer them before you, to watch the incense rising. We don’t want to hold onto those things any longer. We are weary of trying. Lord Jesus, receive these gifts, this oblation today. You are the ONE we long to adore.

In Your name we pray,

Amen.

“You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

I Peter 2:5 ESV

I am linking with: #RememberMeMonday #GraceAndTruth

Published by Bettie G

Jesus follower, Wife, Mom, and Grandma, journeying through chronic illness one day at a time

Published

26 thoughts on “Ablation or Oblation”

    1. Thank you dear Melissa for your love and support! It truly helps so much to know that someone else understands! I am praying for you dear friend, may your week be filled with blessings from the Lord!

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  2. There are areas I need to let God and just love in – regardless of the pain – thank you for this post, for the seed you’ve planted for me today! Shalom Bettie!!! Praying for you as you recover! ~ Maryleigh

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    1. Thank you so much for your dear prayers! I appreciate your prayers for Shalom so much also. Yes, may we let His love flow in and out more freely, even on the pain-filled days. Blessings and Shalom to you also!

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  3. Dear Bettie, once again I thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your struggles. I love how you researched ablation and oblation, and how even our pain can be an offering to God as an oblation. And really it’s also an act of worship as we give it to Him and rest in His love and comfort. When those waves wash over us, we can be sure He is with us. Thank you so much for your beautiful prayer. And the verse from I Peter is perfect! Blessings love and hugs to you, my dear sister/poet/friend! xoxo

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    1. Dear Gayl,
      Thank you for all of your prayers and support so much. And I appreciate your thoughts here about offering our pain to Him too: “And really it’s also an act of worship as we give it to Him and rest in His love and comfort.” May I continue to let Him teach me more in this season. Those waves can feel so huge, but He is right here with us. Blessings, love, and hugs to you too dear sister/poet/friend!

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  4. Dear Bettie, oh this is such a thoughtful and soul searching read! I felt for you so much, and had lots of places where I just had to pause. These words really made me think: “Lift up the pain, as an Oblation to Me, and picture the sacrifice on the altar rising as pure incense before Me. It’s not yours to hold onto, to fight against, or even to figure out.” On a day where pain and fatigue are extra wearying and getting the better of me, it’s a timely reminder to hand this burden over to Jesus as an offering, given in recognition that I cannot carry the load by myself and only He can transform our pain into sweet, prayerful incense for Him. Thank you for your biblical word research and its personal application for you and us. I’ve definitely learnt something new here and can view the horrid experience of pain a little differently. May you receive a greater measure of relief and healing to come, sweet friend. Much love and grateful hugs! xoxo

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    1. Dear Joy,
      OH, I am so sorry that you are dealing with that pain and fatigue today, dear friend. I pray that He will carry you to His heart and bring you such peace as you offer it all up to Him. It can be such a struggle, can’t it? I find myself responding so instantly to hold tight through the pain waves, instead of releasing and offering it up to Him. I am so glad that He is so tender with us, and continues to give us those invitations. And I am so thankful that we can pray for each other through these weary days. May you be so blessed by His relief and healing as well, dear sister. Much love and hugs to you across the sea!

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  5. Such precious thoughts, sweet friend. Oh, He does want and deserve all of us, doesn’t He? It is amazing how the longer we serve Him and walk this path of following Him, the more we want to give Him our all. He has done so much for us! I am SO thankful to know that you are getting at least some relief from that horrendous head pain. May the dear Lord continue to lay His healing hand upon you. Sending much love and many hugs your way today!

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    1. Dear Cheryl,
      Thank you so much for all of your dear love and support through all of these days, my friend! He really has been so faithful to us. How could we not offer our hearts to Him, when we pause and think about all of His love for us. May He continue to call us closer to Himself. Blessings, love, and hugs to you too!

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  6. This really gives me pause to search my heart, Bettie. This line of what God spoke to you especially touches me – “It’s not yours to hold onto, to fight against, or even to figure out.” Thank you for encouraging me to offer up to God the things that hurt me most deeply. I need that reminder. Love and blessings of strength and peace for each moment!

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    1. Dear Trudy,
      Oh, I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed us to encourage and point each other to Him. Your words bring tears to my eyes, as you have so often pointed me to Him through your posts and thoughts. And I am so glad that we can keep praying for each other through all of these days. Sending so much love and blessings and hugs for you too. xo

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  7. Good morning, Bettie, Our Lord does not abandon or forsake. Your testimony praises and honors Him, how He draws ever so near as teacher, as friend, as Father, as Prince of Peace, as Healer. Thank you so much for the lesson on the ablation and oblation. May our Mighty God bless you sister in ways you continue to not expect. Love in Christ Our Lord, Julie

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    1. Dear Julie, Thank you so much for your precious prayers and encouragement. Truly He is so very near to us, in every way that we need! Oh may we offer our hearts to Him today. Much love and prayers for you too.

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  8. Bettie, this was such a thoughtful article! I honestly never understood the word “Corban” fully the way you explained it. Viewing the contrast between ablation and oblation was all the more stunning with your personal testimony. The picture of hiding the oblation away like the Pharisees really hit home for me. I know I hold things back from God. The way you described offering your pain as an “oblation” to Him, that it was not yours to hold onto, really resonated with me. Everything He gives us, allows in our lives, should be offered back to Him, not held onto. My oh my, my heart is full after reading this post, how God spoke to my heart! Thank you dear Bettie!

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    1. Dear Donna,
      Yes, I had heard the word “Corban” explained, but when I saw it within the meaning of “oblation” it made even more sense! Jesus knows so well what is going on in our hearts, even when we don’t realize it fully ourselves. I am so thankful that He does help us to let go and offer ourselves back to Him. I am so grateful that the Lord spoke to you here. What a gift to know that He joins our hearts together in HIM. Blessings to you dear sister!

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  10. Thanks for this post today, Bettie, that has me pondering what I am holding on to. Holding onto my struggles and pains also holds me back from doing His work. It can be an excuse for not letting go completely into His will and into obediance. Continual prayers for you, my friend!

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    1. Thank you for your prayers, dear Lynn. And thank you for offering your comments to the conversation here. Truly, we can hold onto our own struggles and count it a necessary reason for not being able to move forward into His Will. But yet, that can be the very area that He wants to help us with, can’t it? Oh, yes, may I pause and listen more clearly for His invitations also. Blessings and prayers for you today!

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  12. Well said, Bettie! This showed so much insight in the writing and comparison of the two words. I also commend your courage for a procedure that sounds risky and not at all fun. You are a warrior indeed!

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    1. Dear Pam,
      Isn’t it fascinating how words can convey such parallels and yet such differences too? I am so grateful that Jesus carries us through places that are too hard for us to walk through alone. It reminds me of how He is carrying your son now also. May the Lord bring him, and your whole family, such comfort and strength as you lean on Him!

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