Ownership
Imagine you own a brand-new shiny apple-red Volkswagen Bug. You take it to the local auto mechanic to have some minor repairs done. And while your car is in his possession, he uses it to pick up his kids from school and haul groceries home. You’d probably be a little angry when you came for your car and found lettuce leaves and shoe prints on the backseat.
Let’s suppose your dry cleaner wears your new suit to a fancy dinner he’s attending. You happen to see him at the restaurant. He stutters and makes a few excuses, but there really is no excuse! He’s wearing the suit that you own. And he’s doing it without your permission!
Try to look at your life in the same manner. The gifts, talents, skills, and abilities you have were given to you by God. He actually owns them; he’s merely letting you use them for the time being. When you give your life totally to Jesus Christ, you automatically yield your rights to him. So it’s no longer, “My way! My will! My rights!” Your heart’s cry becomes, “Your way, Lord. I want your will. My rights are no longer my own. They belong to you. I don’t own my life anymore. I am totally yours.”
So doesn’t it make sense that when you’re about to decide how to use this opportunity or that talent, that you should seek direction from the Owner? Just as you would want your mechanic to ask permission to drive your car, God wants you to seek his guidance for every area of your life.
Think of the Prodigal Son. The story begins as he approaches his father demanding his rights: “Give me!” The father sadly gives him what he wants, and the son quickly squanders all he has. In his poverty, the son realizes that when his father owned his rights, he was actually happier than when he had demanded ownership himself. The end of the story shows the son approaching his father with a much different request: “Make me.” Note the attitude change? The son went from a vain “Give me!” to a humble request—“Make me.” He asked that his father make him only a servant. He realized he had given up his rights as a son.
Know It!
If your life truly belongs totally to God, you’ll give up your status, your position, and your rights.
Read It!
Luke 15:11-32; Galatians 5:1, 7-9; James 4:7-8
Pray It!
Thank God for loving you so much that he wants to saturate your life with himself.