Wrong Rights

Everything in popular culture reminds us of what our rights are and what we are entitled to. Whether it is the subtle message that we have the right to enjoy ourselves more, or the oft-repeated statement that we "have the right to remain silent...," everywhere we turn, the message of what we deserve is being communicated to us, with the expectation that we will exercise those rights. Particularly those rights to buy, purchase, order, or charge whatever item, device, or service, at our nearest vendor or dealer, is deemed critical to our enjoyment of those rights.

When we seek to follow the way of the spirit, it frequently means a complete reversal of the way of the world we have previously followed. But it is a reversal that leads to happiness and peace. When we come to God through acknowledging our need of rescue from our sin nature and accepting the free gift of Jesus' sacrifice, we don't deserve the eternal life, the joy and freedom from our burdens that we are given, but they are ours without charge.

As we hunger for more of God, having tasted and found that He is good, we learn the rewards of submission and obedience. The training and discipline that is available, and required, to progress further is available to all, but not all accept it. Some people want to retain their rights to follow their own desires and seek to walk a fine line between the pleasures of the world and riches of God's Spirit. But for those willing to bend the knee and bow the head before God, which is our natural response as we look closer at, and gain a deeper understanding for, what was done in the heavenlies for our sake and begin to see the eternal plan of redemption God has implemented, fully paid for, and inevitable to complete, regardless of whether any partakes or not, God's rewards more than make up for giving up our "rights."

The more we realize that we are bought with a price, that we are not our own, that the "freedom" we thought we were exercising when we were actually staggering under a debt of sin that in the end would only crush us, then the more we begin to comprehend the truth that God's plan is not for our comfort and relaxation, but for His glory. And He has a plan and a portion for each and every one of us who are willing to submit to His leading, accept His guidance, embrace His direction, and acknowledge His Lordship, letting His mark of ownership be seen by those around us through what we say, and don't say, through what we do, and don't do.

As members of God's family, we have great riches and great authority, but it is not what we have earned or conquered by our own strength or wisdom. We are more than conquerors -- we are inheritors. But in addition to inheriting the riches and authority of our Father, we also inherit the obligation and responsibility expressed by the Father's heart of love to seek out the lost, to give rest to the weary, to care for the wounded, to bind up the broken-hearted, to defend the widow and orphan. 

To whom much is given, much is required. And the fellowship found in the labor of love with each other and with the Father is a joy that is known only to those who, by giving up their rights and entitlements and accepting their responsibilities and duties, are poured out and offered up on the altar of sacrifice. There, they find Jesus, the first-born and beloved Son of God, who went before and made the way for us to follow in His footsteps. He sits on the right hand of the Father, interceding for us as we labor in the fields to complete the harvest. 

Lord of all, Father of the harvest, thank You for providing such a rich bounty for us to partake of. Thank You for pouring out Your Spirit of compassion on us, and leading us in the work that is ours to do for You. You are great, O Lord, and You are good. Your loving kindness never ends, no matter how many times we come back for more. You lead us, You guide us, You restore us, You anoint us, for Your name's sake, and we give You our richest praise and worship.

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