I Am Not My Own

“Hmm,” I thought as I watched this Hollywood starlet make a declaration. She stood on a dimly lit stage and declared “My life is mine.” The intimate crowd erupted with applause as she went on to share her journey of self discovery that led to this assertion. I reserved my applause as I contemplated my own life. Is my life mine? Am I really in control here? Being a recovering people pleaser, who once did everything with others in mind, this idea seemed appealing. “Yes! I do what I want, when I want, how I want, with whom I want.” How liberating!

Then the Spirit gave me a sweet and gentle reminder that I am not my own. My life is not mine! And when I think about it, that’s alright with me.

I Corinthians 6:19-20 says Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

This passage, in context, speaks to what happens when we don’t remember that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We give ourselves over to all kinds of perversion immorality.  When we choose to take our own course rather than heed to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we open our lives up for destruction.

The Spirit living on the inside provides guidance and counsel that leads me to do the right things. Not only do the right things, but to WANT to do the right things. Things that are defined by God’s Word–not by society, which can be morally inept; Not by my circle of friends who just simply can be wrong; not by my feelings which are fickle. Yes, I want to do the right things, things that honor God and not grieve the Spirit within me.

The truth is, my life in my own hands is a mess. Apart from God, I don’t have the power to make wise decisions for myself. But when I consider that I am a temple which houses the very Spirit of God who unctions me, guides me, and comforts me, I can rest. I can yield to the One who wants only what’s best for me. I can give in to His prompting without fear of losing out. I don’t need to stand on my soapbox or stomp my feet and declare my independence. But rather rest in my daily dependence on the Savior. I can trust that He indeed knows what’s best.

I am NOT my own—and I’m so glad!