Our Life is Not Our Own

Our life is not our own, it is God’s life to be used for His glory.

“And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” 2 Corinthians 5:15

We can’t live our lives selfishly, thinking only of what will make us happy, or in my case thinking only of my agenda, my time, and what I need to get done.

I’m a very time oriented, planner, checking the to-do list type person. I love schedules and planning. And I’m really good at it!

This isn’t always a bad thing BUT, it can be, and a lot of times it has been for me.

I feel like our strong suites most of the time can be very good things if we steward them well. However, the trouble comes when we allow them to take over.

What is God speaking to me?

I feel God is teaching me to look around to those in need and to live more in tune with the Holy Spirit.

Listening for his guidance to help/serve as I’m called to, generously giving of my time and myself no matter what else may be on my to-do list for the day.

Looking at Jesus’ life we can see he clearly didn’t live for himself. How did he live his life?

1. Taught the people everywhere in the towns and synagogues.

2. Healed every disease and sickness.

3. Forgave sins.

4. Had compassion on the crowds. No matter how tired he was, he continued to teach them.

5. Fed the crowds because they were hungry.

6. Was crucified even though he asked the Father to take the cup from him. He wanted the Fathers will to be done.

7. Didn’t defend himself when charges were made for his death. He could easily have escaped but knew what he was called to do.

8. Always lived his life fully submitted to his Father’s will. “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will” John 6:38

9. He laid down his life for us all. “Just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.” John 10:15

What does this tell us?

We are supposed to live like Jesus, so we should mimic this kind of submission to God’s will, this kind of living for others, and laying down our lives for others.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” John 13:34

Imagine if we each lived our lives like this!

Totally for the kingdom, fully submitted to God, and laying our lives down for others.

Our time, our money, our agenda, our gifts, would no longer be ours!

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10

God wants to work through each of us to take care of others and bring himself to them.

He wants to bring heaven to earth for his children and to reveal his love through us to those who aren’t yet his children, so that all will see the true nature of the Father!

“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us and his love is brought to full expression in us.” 1 John 4:12

At the end of the day if I have things left on my to-do list, it drives me crazy…if I let it.

I’m looking more at it now with a sense of peace knowing my to-do list, my schedule, my time are no longer mine…they are his to be used as he wants!