If you’ve seen Finding Nemo then you’ll know all about the greedy seagulls and the one word they screech over and over again. “Mine!” Mine, mine, mine. . . it’s relentless and it’s all too familiar in our own lives, too, and we see it as a natural part of child development. Extensive research in the field of social science has coined a phrase called the “endowment effect” whereby we deem a possession as more valuable simply because it is ‘mine’.
The thing is, we are all deluded. Nothing is truly mine. And it doesn’t belong to you either:
“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendour, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” (Chronicles 29:11 NIV)
If I go through life thinking my house, my money, my health, my education, my job, my clothes, my possessions, my family, my talents, my skills. . . then I hold tightly to these things. Because they’re mine right?! But throughout scripture we’re reminded that none of it belongs to us. “Yours, Lord. . . ” Your gifts, your breath in my lungs, your blessings, your wisdom, your people. . .
If we go through life thinking things are special or important simply because they’re ours, how much more should we value things when we reframe our perspective to remind ourselves that everything actually belongs to God? When you don’t claim ownership over something you’re more readily available to relinquish your grip and offer it up in service to the glory of God. Everything that we perceive to be ours is merely God’s goodness to us on loan.
"Yours, yours, yours. . . " should be our new refrain. And it doesn’t just apply to stuff, but nature, the world, and the pinnacle of creation, people. My nosy neighbour becomes "yours, Lord," my annoying co-worker becomes "yours, Lord," my frustrating sibling becomes, "yours, Lord. . . " and that makes those individuals infinitely precious and treasured.
Why not take some time this week to sit with the Lord and ask if there is anything, any situation, or anyone, that you’re holding onto too tightly. Let us offer our lives once again to the One they belong to so they can display His glory.
Want help to figure out what it is that God's calling you to use for His glory? Want to discover that sweet spot of serving where life seems to just click? I'd love to hear from you!
Get in touch and let's grow and go together.
Em
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