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!!