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My Life Is My Own…….Or Is It? Recently I watched a commercial on television where a man stated how amazed he was the day he realized his life was his own. I stewed on that for a few minutes. After some reflection, I wondered how many viewers would believe that statement to be true. I came to the conclusion that it is not reality for me. My life is not entirely my own. My life is a gift from God. Each and every day I spend upon this earth is a loan made by Him. I had no hand in my conception. I did not instigate God's calling. But He created me and drew me to Him: it seems to me that I owe Him a debt, one I can only repay with my very life! How? I must dedicate myself to His way: try to see things from His perspective. Sometimes it's hard to focus my mind in that direction, but I must let His spirit guide me into being more like Him. How can I do that, the mere mortal that I am? I look in the Bible which tells me to conduct my life according to God's ways. Matthew 4:4 says: "Jesus answered, ' It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." So while food will keep my physical self nourished, God's words (which I find in the Bible) will keep my spiritual self nourished. When I read 1 John 5:3 I am told: "This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome." I like the way it's put in the Living Bible – Loving God means doing what He tells us to do, and really, that isn't hard at all. Walking in God's path is sometimes challenging, but His laws are quite simple, they are not a burden. They actually make life easier to manage. It is like so many things in life – you can go ahead and do it yourself or get a little help and do it better. Not long ago I needed to assemble a barbeque. I could have read the instructions first, followed the steps in order and gotten it right the first time but instead I choose to put it together on my own. So instead I got it right the second time, after using the directions included. Lesson learned! Simple, clear instructions or directions make any project manageable and what is life if it isn't the most intricate project we all face? Life is full of blessings, as well as tests and trials - of His choosing or by the circumstances and situations we get ourselves into. We can be affected by time and chance, too, and God looks at what we do with all those opportunities. Why bother though? Jesus Christ gives the answer in John 14:1 – 3: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am going." These are words of comfort and encouragement! That's where I want to be. This is who I want to be with. He's what I want to be like. He promises that one day it will happen. I found the perfect counterpoint to the 'life is my own' commercial in a retirement ad. It read: "ONE DAY EVERY MORNING WILL FEEL LIKE SATURDAY!" |
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