“Master” Meditation

5/7/12 Enjoying an afternoon “cuppa” with some of Mary Jane’s homemade shortbread and a good book, I came across the author’s explanation of an Alexander Pope epigram that begs the question, "who is your master?"

'I am his Higness’ Dog at Kew:

Pray tell me sir whose dog are you.'

As Carolyn Weber states, we all have a master. As she puts it, “ No individual by the very state of existence, can avoid life as a form of servitude; it only remains for us to decide, deny, or remain oblivious to, whom or what we serve.” (Surprised by Oxford, 5)

We all will serve something or someone. At that point in her life, Weber was her own master, thus serving herself. Garnering respect for herself alone.

My notes from yesterday’s sermon on a passage in Malachi had me asking myself questions. Is the Lord truly the Master of my life? Do others see my service and respect for Him? Does the Lord receive from me the respect that is due Him?

"A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty…..”(Malachi 1:6)

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)

"I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul," writes William Ernest Henley in his poem, "Invictus".

Acceptance or rejection of God as the Master of one’s life seals our destiny. Though God made us in His own image, God gave us choices. One may choose to steer his ship, the vessel of his soul, with a single purpose---to be a praise to God’s glory. God becomes the Master/Captain of his vessel and leads Him on the path to eternity with Him.

On the other hand, a “self” master mistakenly thinks that he can control all aspects of his life, apart from God.  If he chooses his own destination, thus veering off God’s course, this choice can lead to destruction.

Who’s your master?