Today.
Right in front of me.
In fact, he climbed in, pulled MY keys out of the ignition, tossed them to me and drove off.
Didn’t ask. Didn’t say what he was doing or if he’d be back.
He simply drove off in my truck and left me standing there with my keys in my hand.
And the most important question of all the questions circling overhead like half-starved vultures is this:
Why not?
He wasn’t stealing it. He’s my son. I gave him a set of keys and told him to use it whenever he’d like.
And he has grown so comfortable with that—both the relationship and the privilege—that he doesn’t pause to consider or question or wonder or ask.
He just takes the truck.
Now if you were to ask Jay (no – Emery DOESN’T have keys to the truck yet!) he’d admit that he’s not even technically my son.
We’re a blended family. I married his mother. He was nearly an adult at the time, and we decided it wasn’t worth getting hung up on either a biological or legal technicality.
He calls me Dad, and I call him my son.
And BECAUSE he’s my son, he has a relationship with me that nobody else enjoys. Along with privileges and responsibilities that come with that reserved status.
Like the truck.
When I explain it that way, it probably makes a lot of sense. Because of the context.
In the same context, God calls you sons and daughters. His kids.
When the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.  -Galatians 4:4-5, NLT.
You know what that means? It comes right after that:
Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.  -Galatians 4:7, NLT.
 
So why do we pussyfoot around with God? Why don’t we walk boldly in our relationship with him?
Or is that just me?
Hasn’t he made promises to us, as his own children? And isn’t he reliable?
Promises like His unconditional love. His presence in our own lives right now. Salvation, and all of eternity with Him. Strength for every battle. The grace to endure whatever suffering comes your way. Peace. Provision. Protection.
His wisdom, His faithfulness, His help and guidance.
The list goes on.
Today, choose one God’s promises and claim it for your own. Pray and thank Him for giving it to you, even if you’re having a tough time seeing it play out right now. Ask Him to HELP you grow in your belief and trust in His promises.
Then take the truck and drive it like you own it.
That’s worship.
–Steve.
P.S. Drive the truck like you OWN it. Not like you STOLE it. That would be an entirely DIFFERENT conversation…!