I’m His because He is mine…

Today’s reading is a prayer of consecration. The author ends each section with, “Help me, oh my God!” Before reading it, I sang several songs with praise to God for the reality that He does help us. I do belong to Him. It was His choice, not mine.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16)

Yes, I also must yield myself to Him, not that my willingness makes Him work in my life, but that my resistance slows down the process. One day I will be like Him, whether I fully cooperate or not.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:2–3)

If I focus on my own I-wants in fleshy selfishness, He will work to change that focus. He may use the reading of His Word, or good sermons, or rebukes from friends, or trials that break my stubborn will, or it might be on that final journey’s end when I see Him face-to-face, but He choose me to be His child and to bear fruit in His name. All resistance is useless and a waste of time and effort.

Could I win a battle with Almighty God and His purposes? Maybe for a time. Maybe on certain occasions, but only to see the futility of my way vs. His eternal purposes for me. Learning this is learning to say “I give you my….” whatever I am withholding. As the reading says, it could be my thoughts, likes, dislikes, the management of my life and plans, what I see, hear, where I go and who I spend time with, what I do with my time, the words that I say, the people I love, how I treat those I know and do not know, including those whose way of life is good and those who are evil.

When Jesus said, “Not my will, but thine be done” He was yielding up His very life. He always offered all He did and said and wanted to do to His heavenly Father. That is consecration.

And because Jesus is my Savior, this is not up to me and my willingness to yield. He said He would do it — whether here in this life or with Him in eternity. I am His. It helps me to think that way and to realize the wonder of being at peace when I stop thinking or acting as if I run my own life.

PRAY: Jesus, what more can be said? I am consecrated to You because You consecrated Yourself to my full salvation. I know You are committed to help me become totally willing. Because of You, it is possible to be totally committed to Your plan for my life and my destiny. Apart from You, I’m useless and unable, like a glove without a hand. With You, this useless glove can move mountains.