Journal 2018

He owns me because he bought me. (Ken Needham, Northern Ireland)

I’ve always believed that I belong to God, but this quote changes my perspective. If I think of myself as a slave, I can become resentful, entertain pity parties, and complain of the work. And If I’m a master looking over my plantation, I expect my slaves to do as they’re told because I bought them.

However, this Master bought me from a cruel taskmaster, and in gratitude I serve Him with love out of my whole heart. He now owns me, and I get to live in the big house as one of His adopted children, and I’ll receive the same training and discipline as his sons and daughters.

When I look at the slaves in the field, I want them to know that they can come live in the big house too. But they have to know that this is even possible. All they need to do is choose. Why do they remain where they are, angry and bitter and resentful and disbelieving?

And so I choose to work in the fields with them, suffering alongside them, trying to get them to accept the Master’s offer. But they continue to believe that all masters are bad, and why should this one be any different than their last one?

He owns me, yes, but I’m also his child.