Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

— 1 John 3:18-20

Even before we were able to say it, “Mine!” was a passionate part of our lives.

My kids, growing up, were quick to inform others whose toy that belonged to, whose clothes those were the other one was wearing or whose room we were standing in.

Sometimes, it fell on me to bring the whining to an end by simply removing the item of contention and saying, “Mine.”

In his letter, Jesus’ best friend, John, was concerned about ownership as well.

It wasn’t the owning of things he had in view but rather who had ownership of us.

Who do we belong to?

This Apostle of Jesus refused to make his message gray.

He proclaimed we belong to one of two individuals, Jesus or the devil.

He then added that the ownership of Jesus is revealed by a life lived in obedience to God and a love for others.

We like to think we own ourselves.

We are told over and over by the world we live in that we are the owners of our own souls.

Yet, have we stopped to ask who has the controlling interest in this world that is oriented against God and his word?

Yep, the devil.

Thankfully, God in his love made it possible through Jesus to come under new ownership.

When we stand before God one day, the only question in view will be “Whose are we?”

Return

That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. he is eager to relent and not punish.

— Joel 2:12-13

“Road Closed — Local Traffic Only,” read the sign. I looked down the road, and I didn’t see any construction barrels or cones. No trucks. Nothing.

I’m not a huge fan of detours, so I kept plowing ahead.

After a few miles, I was feeling really great about my decision to stay the course.

Past one more neighborhood, then one more turn … “Yikes!” Bridge out, trucks, construction workers, barrels … A necessary u-turn back to the right track.

The prophet Joel, consistent with God’s other prophets, was a straight shooter.

The people of Israel were headed the wrong way. They were morally bankrupt, command-averse, self- consumed and in real danger of God’s strong hand of discipline.

“Turn back to God!” admonished Joel.

They had been going the wrong way for a really long time and had very little concern about what Joel had to say. That was a truly dreadful mistake.

There is a sweetness to sin that keeps us going back for more and more. The sweetness, however, eventually turns into poison.

God loves us and doesn’t want that for any of us. He wants us to know his mercy and compassion. He’s a God of fresh starts and new beginnings. He sent Jesus to make those possible.

However, every fresh start begins with a stop. That is a decision we must make for ourselves.

Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.