The Toy

What does it mean to be God’s “special possession”? Our world is dominated by things, objects, possessions. To say we are a materialistic culture is an understatement. In that context, it can be really hard to fully appreciate the meaning of being “possessed” by God. I have so many possessions, after all. I acquire and discard them without thought. I am even overwhelmed by them. Sometimes, it feels like they possess me.

But then I think of the week after Christmas in a house with small children. In that week, there is always The Toy. The Toy that won the heart of your child under the tree, The Toy to which they emotionally attached themselves in a whirlwind of twinkle lights and sugar cookies. For that one week, The Toy is all there is. There were many gifts, but The Toy is special, and there can only be one.

So, what does it mean to be “possessed” by God? What does it mean to be of his people? It means you will be cherished and protected in ways you do not deserve and cannot understand. It means you are distinguished not by your own merit, but by the love with which you are beheld. 

It means that you are always The Toy, and every day is Christmas.

“Therefore, if you hearken to my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my special possession, dearer to me than all other people, though all the earth is mine.” — Exodus 19:5

©LPi