"Sold Out
I couldn't believe it. They say my body totals up in value to a little over a dollar [in 1999 numbers!]. Not real valuable, huh? They say there's enough lime to whitewash one chicken coop; potassium to fire one toy cannon; sulfur to rid one dog of fleas; fat for one bar of soap...; phosphorus to make three matches; iron to make a 12 penny nail; gas to fill one jar; and water (that's still free... sometimes).
I grew up singing, 'Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do; oh be careful little hands what you do; for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful, little hands, what you do.' Then we'd sing, 'Oh be careful little feet where you go; oh be careful little eyes what you see... for the Father up above is looking down in love...' People say 'Oh, that's a kid's song.' Frankly, it's a song for all ages, always mindful of the need to watch where we go and what we do. God created us to be instruments of righteouness, tools available to His hand. God places great value on our lives, and suggests we do the same.
Romans 12:1 & 2 says, 'I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.'
There is nothing more satisfying than getting this lime, potassium, gas, sulfur, fat, and phosphorus to stand up and sing, 'Lord, in my life be glorified. Lord, may these hands be used to serve You and others. May these eyes look for those who are in need and see in them what you see. May my feet only go where you lead and may they refuse to take another step without direction from above.' Scientists say we're not worth much. God says we're worth everything.
My life has been greatly shaped by people like Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Corrie ten Boom, and others. Jim Elliot wrote prior to his death, 'He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.' I may not have gone to a remote tribe as a missionary, or given my life as a martyr like so many others, but I can present my life on the altar of sacrifice and hold nothing back. God isn't asking everyone to go to the mission field or serve on a food line on Skid Row, but He is asking us to be willing.
People like me are moved at the testimony of God's servants not because I want to go eat bugs, or live in the jungle, or sleep in a hut, but I am moved because I see people who are sold out for God, and want that same measure of surrender and commitment to be true of me.
Ron Mehl"