You Are Mine...

Last week, I read from Isaiah 43 that I (God) have ransomed you...you are mine. This phrase keeps on coming to mind each day and is a reminder to me that God has paid a price for me and for all of us. He has willingly allowed His Son, Jesus The Christ, to suffer and die for me and for all of us. He has bought my life with a hefty price and has made an extensive investment in me. And yet, I still want things to go "my way" and I don't want to be "owned" by anyone.

While I want to be my "own man," it is obvious to be that we are all "owned" by someone or something--a job, a company, a family, a lifestyle, a culture, a nation, etc. Why can't I just simply yield my hope and dreams, my possessions and my intentions, to God? Why do I resist being owned by God? I often want to recieve the benefit of the ransom of God but I am not always enthusiastic about the ownership of God because it means "My Way" will not prevail.

As I continue to come back to Isaiah 43, it is apparent that I will have to choose "His Way" alone or He will foreclose on the overvalued and risky mortgage of my life. I don't simply want to put this in transactional or financial terms. However, a transaction of love and sacrifice has afforded me the privilege of being a Child of the King who is rescued from certain destruction. Considering the price that God has already willingly paid for me, I think I can embrace and gladly recieve His ransom for my life. I certainly see the blessed truth of God's statement to the nation of Israel, to all of humanity, and to me: I have called you by name; you are mine!!

Being Beloved

I was reading about how Jesus was beloved by God in Matthew 3 and was reminded anew how God truly loves us and has a special plan for us. He considers us to be His children and He first loves us and wants us to be loved by Him--to be His beloved. He isn't demanding us to make right decisions before He will love us--although He certainly appreciates this. He isn't requiring us to be perfect before He will love us. He doesn't set conditions on His love. Rather, each of us are His beloved that He first loves. Beyond His love, we give Him great pleasure and joy when we obey Him and choose His path. However, He always loves us and considers us to be His beloved irrespective of our choices. Isn't it wonderful to be God's beloved!!

Spiritual Matters To Ponder

Our faith community is preparing to start a new fall focus that is all about having authentic relationship with Christ and others. We are calling it "Rediscover The Rest Of Life" because Jesus told us that He has come to bring rest for the weary, assistance for the burdened, and new life for those burned out. I often experience the weariness and exhaustion of life and living. Fortunately, I know where to go to get rest and to "recharge the batteries" of my life. Of course, I, like many others...maybe even you, am often slow to admit my need and to embrace this resting and recharging.

Why are we so slow to turn to a place of infinite grace? Why do we prefer to "do it my way" instead of doing it the best way? Why do we allow ourselves to become weary to the bone...even to the deep crevices of our soul? Why can't we embrace God's rhythm of grace that is all around us? Why can't we receive the rest that is before us and lighten the burdens that overwhelm us?

I know the theological "right answers" to these questions but they are not always the best or most comforting ones. I still wrestle with these matters and I find that wrestling with such things happens in the blunt ugliness of our very real world. As I discover and rediscover God's answers everyday, I am reminded that life and faith happens in the valleys of life's challenges and not so much in the vaulted ivory towers of faith and religion.

As I discover and rediscover the rest of life, let me encourage you to join in the wonderful journey. Please come and join us anytime at Epworth UMC where we are attempting to rediscover the no nonsense joy of the rest of life found only in Jesus Christ. Come and join us on our real journey for authentic faith!!

Brint