Momentum: How To Ignite Your FaithSample

SURRENDERED PEOPLE HAVE NO RIGHTS In 2002, on a cold November day, Leigh Anne Touhy was driving down the street, minding her own business. She noticed a young, homeless African-American teenager. With a drug-addicted mom and a dad he’d never met, sixteen-year old Michael Oher was struggling to stay in school. He had a 0.6 grade point average. The Touhys ended up inviting Michael to live with them. They helped him graduate from high school, and earn a scholarship to play college football. Ultimately, Michael was drafted into the National Football League. His story was eventually told in the movie The Blind Side. And it was all possible because one wealthy, suburban Christian woman who was surrendered to God chose to be unselfish. You see, surrendered people are unselfish people. Thousands of years earlier we find an example of this kind of unselfishness in Abraham’s life. His financial portfolio was also impressive. His investments in agribusiness and precious metals had paid huge returns. Genesis 13:2 provides a snapshot of Abraham’s personal financial statement. He “had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.” But God had also blessed Abraham’s nephew Lot, and with increased prosperity came increased challenges and tension. The Bible says the land couldn’t support both of them, and friction between the two family businesses erupted. So Abraham stepped forward and offered a surprising solution to the problem. In order to preserve peace in the family, Abraham unselfishly offered Lot the option of choosing whichever land he desired and Abraham took whatever was left over. Abraham, as the oldest leader of the family, had every right to claim the best land. Yet Abraham deferred. He was generous and unselfish. Whether it is Leigh Anne Touhy in modern-day Memphis or Abraham in ancient Negev, when we discover surrender, unselfishness is not far behind. Truly surrendered followers of Jesus put people ahead of possessions. He put relationship ahead of real estate. When you are surrendered, you hold the things of this world loosely because . . . • You realize that this world is not your home. • Your life isn’t defined by possessions. • You don’t really own anything. You are a manager, not an owner. • You trust that God will take care of you. WHAT ABOUT YOU? How are you doing in the “putting people ahead of possessions” department? Today’s Takeaway Surrender and unselfishness go hand in hand.