"The Steward's Doorstep"

    By definition, one cannot lose that which one does not possess.  The thought blesses and liberates us in light of the following Biblical declarations:

    "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1).

    "I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of Heaven and earth" (Genesis 14:22).

    "Ye are not your own" (I Corinthians 16:9).

    Let us inhale the sweet breath of God's peace in Christ as such truth graces our hearts.  As referenced in a recent message, our Heavenly Father made us as stewards rather than owners.  He is the owner, "the possessor of Heaven and earth."  Thus - and herein lies the tranquility - we can lose nothing because we possess nothing.  When things or people come to us, they arrive at the steward's doorstep, as sent by the Owner.  In His perfect wisdom, God grants us the privilege and responsibility to serve as caretakers for His belongings.  "All the earth is Mine" said the Lord to Israel (Exodus 19:5).  He says the same to us even in this holy moment wherein the Word of God and the Spirit of God offer us the peace of God that promises we can lose nothing because we possess nothing.

    We do well to make the Truth specific to all things in our lives.  I find it helpful to frequently consider our possessions in remembrance of their true and rightful Owner.  I view our home and its contents in this light with the gratitude that they do not actually belong to me, and thus are not necessary for the fulfillment of my heart.  "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" said the Lord Jesus in light of truth that we "possess" as stewards rather than owners (Luke 12:15).  I walk out into our yard to consider lawn, bushes, and trees as mine to tend for the Lord, even as Adam husbanded his Maker's garden before sin entered the first man's heart.  I drive our car in remembrance of its Owner.  Now, let's get even closer to home, as it were.  I must think of my being in every aspect not as "my" being.  "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).  I am not my own, whether in spirit, soul, or body.  In a generation wherein self and body focus plagues both culture and church, sublime tranquility of heart awaits all who acknowledge the truth of stewarding rather than owning our being.  Finally, the people in our lives exist not as our possessions, but as gifts given by their Owner for the bestowing and receiving of love, His love.  This perspective of people provides one of the most life-changing glimmers of Light offered by God and His Word.  All are to be loved in the unselfish recognition that since they do not belong to us, neither are they necessary for the fulfillment of our hearts.  Thus are we free to love through Christ as unencumbered by need, and as enabled by the peace of viewing people in the privilege and responsibility of stewardship rather than ownership.

    One by one by one we acknowledge things, people, and ourselves as belonging to the only One capable of beneficial and successful possession.  This is peace, a progressive peace more realized as we increasingly discover the Truth that graces our trusting hearts.  All comes to the steward's doorstep, as sent by the Owner.  Yes, indeed, this is peace.

"For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever,  Amen."

(Romans 11:36)

Weekly Memory Verse

   The Lord will give strength unto His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace."

(Psalm 29:11)