“For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 25:55 (NRSV)

The gift tag says, “My property! Handle with Care!” It is signed “God” and tied to the Planet Earth in the illustration from a Bible curriculum I’ve taught.

Slightly below it is a human being, also wrapped with a gift tag. The tag tied to the person reads, “My Property and Instrument for Service. Develop, Care For and Use Responsibly”, again signed “God”.

What a great reminder! Each one of us belongs to God. God chooses, shapes and uses us in unique ways. Like the various instruments played by the orchestra, we are called to work in harmony. As God’s instruments, playing together in this time and place, let us:

• joyfully serve others,
• build each other up,
• treat each other with gentleness and fairness,
• acknowledge that we each have different gifts, and
• give God the glory.

Prayer : Thank You, Lord, for rescuing us from our slavery to sin through the blood of Jesus our Savior. We desire to serve You and our brothers and sisters with love and respect. Amen.

Deaconess Doreen Scheuerman, Augusta, KS