By Manuele Teofilo
Many of us who use a wheelchair or mobility equipment here in New Zealand are familiar with a sticker. A sticker on the equipment we use daily, and we call our own, that says “Equipment of MOH” or equipment belonging to the Ministry of Health. Or something to that effect.
We use the equipment, but technically we don’t own it. If a wheelchair or an aid has this label, then it is likely that it was funded for the user. We didn’t buy it. Didn’t pay a cent. Neither are we renting it or paying the funder back for the equipment. We use it for our needs. Free of charge.
Recently at Festival One, as I was reflecting during a worship session, I realized the glaring similarity to our bodies.
“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Psalm 139:13 (NLT)
God created us and gave us our bodies. Free of charge! My next verse encourages us to submit to God, but we have free will. To be a Christian or not. To follow Jesus or follow the world. To be free or be bound by sin. Let me remind you of the hefty consequences of choosing one or the other. Jesus gives us good gifts, what we do with those gifts is up to us.
We don’t have stickers on our bodies or anything to visually signify God owns us. Only if we receive faith and believe the Scriptures do we see that we belong to Him. Paul speaking to Christians, reminds us what it means to be a follower of Christ.
“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.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV).
In a way, God doesn’t force us to wear the “God owns me” sticker. He gives us the choice. If we choose to wear it though, we must surrender. No longer is my life for my wishes and selfish desires. Not only do I acknowledge that God created me. But thankful His Son Jesus died and rose again to set me free. Therefore, I will wear the sticker that says “Sold” and live to honour Jesus!
Manuele Teofilo is a staff member of Elevate Christian Disability Trust. He attends Gracecity Church and he lives with Cerebral Palsy.