You are mine

Those who think highly of a certain day do so in honour of the Lord; those who will eat anything do so in honour of the Lord, because they give thanks to God for the food. Those who refuse to eat certain things do so in honour of the Lord, and they give thanks to God. We do not live for ourselves only, and we do not die for ourselves only. If we live, it is for the Lord that we live, and if we die, it is for the Lord that we die. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.  (verses 6-8)

Read Romans 14:1-12

My friend Theo has a very fine guitar. Whenever I borrow it, you can be sure I take a lot more care of it than I do my own. I make sure my hands are clean. I strum it more gently. I don’t leave it leaning up against the coffee table but place it back in its case. I return it with all strings intact. I am more careful with his guitar because it is his. It doesn’t belong to me.

You do not belong to yourself. You are the Lord’s own precious possession. That changes the way you live. All that you do, say and think, is to honour and thank the Lord. The fact that you belong to the Lord God also changes the way you will die. Along with your eternal destiny, that hour is in the hands of a loving God who says, ‘Do not be afraid—I will save you. I have called you by name—you are mine’ (Isaiah 43:1b).

You have made me by your word and purchased me by the blood of Jesus, O God. Take what is yours and fashion me, so that I may honour you. Amen.

by Simon Cooper, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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