The neighborhood kids gathered to play ball at the park and a new guy showed up. Everyone brought their usual stuff: Tom brought the favorite bat, Jimmy his bases, Alex had a cooler of water and cups, Derek had extra gloves. Joe, the new guy, had nothing. Tom asked him, “You wanna play?”
Joe replied, “Sure.”
Tom then asked, “What do you got to play with?” Joe walked away dejected.
In Romans 12, Paul pleaded with the people to offer themselves to the Lord. Too many times we think we need to give God something. Paul urged the Roman people, in view of all God had done for them, to simply present their bodies back to the Lord for His glory and honor.
Derek ran after Joe. “Listen man, you don’t need anything, come on and play, we just need you.” Joe smiled big and ran back to join the game.
In order to live for Christ each day, we must give our entire bodies to Him for His purposes. All our time, desires, and behaviors will belong to Him. We are called to be a living and holy sacrifice. We are not required to bring anything else along, but to deny our own selfish desires to follow God.
