Hes possessed. Its a phrase we throw around lightly, but what does it really mean? My initial impulse when I think of the word possess is to define it as to own, but the more I think about it, I conclude that its much more than just ownership. As an example, lets say someone steals my car. Technically I would still OWN the car, but I wouldnt POSSESS it. To possess something, I must not only own it, but I must also have control of it. Therefore if I say Hes possessed, Im implying that he is owned and controlled by something or someone. Some peoples first reaction when they hear that phrase is to think hes being controlled by some kind of evil spirit, but the possibilities go far beyond that. Let me tell you a little story a friend told me that puts this topic into perspective: He said when he first got out of school and went to work, he saw on the dealers lot a new truck he felt he couldnt live without. When he found out what the note would be, he knew it would be a struggle, but he could pay it, so he bought it. Then came the insurance bill and the gas bills he forgot to figure into the equation. He said owning that truck put him in such a bind, he only drove it to work and back. The rest of the time he and his truck just stayed home because he couldnt afford to go anywhere else. It then dawned on him that instead of him possessing the truck, the truck possessed him, because it basically controlled his life, and that truck he had wanted so badly became a detestable object in his life. Ive known people who were so possessed by the desire to increase their possessions they literally turned control of all their activities over to those desires, even to the point of unethical dealings in pursuit of more and more stuff. In the end, instead of being the owners, they became the owned. Have you ever known a young lady who became so obsessed with capturing the heart of some certain young man that she basically became his property and was completely owned and controlled by him? A quick note: Whatever is your obsession, you are likely to become its possession. Im not saying thats always a bad thing, as long as your possessor always has your best interest at heart. Otherwise, its not good. Bob Dylan wrote a song called Youre Gonna Have to Serve Somebody. Heres the question: Will the one Im serving, my possessor, control my life with an attitude of greed and selfishness, or will his/her love for me be the motivation? If I am possessed by things, my life will not be pretty nor happy. Heres my prayer: Dear Lord, please dont let my life be controlled by things or any other person. I only want to be controlled by You. Lord I know that decision has to be mine, so now Im asking You to take complete possession of my life. Own me. Control me. I want to be Your property, because I know when I relinquish my will to Yours, everything else in my life will fall into its proper place, and happiness will truly be mine. Amen. Preston
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 11:58:46 +0000