Ownership

     Children usually have no problem claiming ownership of things:
    "This is my eraser. I can tell because it has my initials."
    "That's my pencil on her desk!"
    "He has my art! I know because it had the blue spot right there."
    There is nothing that sparks distress quite like being unable to find one's own softball glove, or not knowing what happened to one's own lunch when you know you put it on the tray this morning. "Mine" is probably one of the first words a child learns to say.

    I've been thinking about claiming ownership lately. When we first become Christians, it's a little bit like the day you buy your first car. You can hardly believe that it is true. As you begin to recognize your ownership, you start taking responsibility for maintenance.

    I am struck by the number of verses in the Bible that boldly claim ownership: O Lord, thou art my God (Isaiah 25:1), For thou art my rock and my fortress (Psalm 31:3), O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord (Psalm 16:2), Neither is there any rock like our God (1 Samuel 2:2b).

     Sometimes it's more convenient not to claim ownership, like when the spring of a pen is shot across the room and the teacher asks who it belongs to. There are many sheepish students that do not wish to claim that kind of ownership. As adults, we sometimes try to distance ourselves from ownership as well. We don't want the responsibility it brings. We don't want to deny ourselves. It seems difficult to make everything come together.  And so we avoid actively taking possession.

    How differently would things look if we claimed ownership? What if God became "my Father?" Things might stand in a different light if the guidelines of the Church became "my convictions." Perhaps we would find ourselves volunteering more often at a layman's evening or speaking more in Sunday School if we recognized that this was "my Church" and "my faith."

    Let me be clear. I'm not advocating that everyone try to take control and run things how he or she thinks best. My point here is taking responsibility. If I recognize that this wonderful gift of salvation is really mine, I'll take the best care of it I can. I will delve into the Bible, I will support the Church's doctrines, I will be concerned for her future, I will pray for the the ministry to be inspired. I will be completely invested because it is mine.

    Earlier I spoke about children taking ownership. There is an interesting phenomenon that children often display. I'm sure other teachers have noticed it too. If Justin can't find his ruler, there are suddenly five others waving in the air, being offered for his use. As much as children claim ownership, they also want to share their wonderful things with others.

    As we take possession of the gift of salvation and realize the part we play when we take the Church and her doctrines, her joys and her beauties, as our own, our hearts, too, will reach out to others. We will want to share. As we recognize in awe the wondrous blessing we have been bestowed, we will hasten to share it with those around us. Sharing, too, will become part of our responsibility. Not everyone will race off to the opposite side of the globe, but perhaps you will find small ways to share a smile, a kind word, a gift of friendship. There may be days your ownership will lead you to share an experience or a reproof with someone else. Sometimes the challenge may be sharing your time.

    Isn't it ironic that as I strive each day to give my heart and my life more fully to God, I can claim His grace and His Church more and more as mine?  While this world around us becomes less predictable, I want to become more grounded in something that I know can always be mine. May I share it with you?