Let go–they’re his!

There is a three-fold reminder in Psalm 100:3 that can anchor our souls and strengthen our hope in the areas of our greatest concern. It says, “Know that the Lord is God. It is He who has made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.”

Let those words wash over you. We belong to God. We are His people the sheep of His pasture. We are His concern. And so are the things and people that matter most in our lives.

The things and people that we most love in life are not ours—we do not possess them. We do not possess our friends, our children, or our sweethearts. They are His. As a pastor, I need to remind myself that I do not possess my church. My church is His. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, “I will build my church.” He did not say to the apostles, “I will build your church for you.” He said, “I will build my church.” In John 21 He said to Peter, “Feed my sheep. Feed my lambs. Take care of my people.”

Certainly, we have been given great responsibility in the areas of our greatest loves. We are called to give, feed, protect, and serve, but we do not possess. We do not own. Nor can we control outcomes. We strive mightily, we do out best, and then at the end of the day, we rest in the knowledge that all of these concerns are His.

Your greatest concerns have been laid on His shoulders. Your dearest loves belong to Him. He is the one that climbed on the cross and gave His life for them. He is the one who loves them with a love that cannot even be fathomed.

So take heart today. Yes, we have a lot to do. There are sacrifices to be made, spiritual battles to be waged, services to be engaged, and adventures to be lived. But in all of these areas where we love, give, protect, and serve, we must remember that they are His, that He is responsible, and that He will ultimately come through. Embrace this truth. Be invigorated by its relief. We will do our part and God will do His because God is ever faithful.  

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)