I Am Not My Own

One of our special bonds we share...silliness

The Twins

Did you know I am a twin? That's right. I have a twin sister - Tarra. She is older by three minutes. That makes me the baby in the family. :-) Growing up, we shared more than just our birthday. We shared a bedroom, which I understand is not just isolated to twins. We shared how we dressed. Although, I believe my mother did try to change it up a bit with different colors for each of us, but the same outfit/pattern. We always got the same gifts, which was no fun if you were the second one to open your gift. But what I remember most as a kid was our title given to us by others...it was never, "Is Terri and Tarra coming over?". It was usually, "Are the twins coming?". I am not my own...I share DNA with another. We are ferternal twins, so (in our case) we only share 5 of 15 markers. I must also admit, we have shared physical pains, thoughts and emotions even when miles away...you know, that "twin thing" that happens. With all that being said, I love being a twin! There is a special bond that only twins share, and I would not trade that for anything. I am blessed to share so much with another.

Tamra and me

Let me state sincerely at this point that I love my older sister, Tamra, just as much, but it's a different relationship than what Tarra and I share.

As a teenager and young college student, I remember wanting to find out who I was...as an individual. As an adult, looking back, I realize no matter what I may do to find myself, I am not my own because I am a twin and therefore, will always have a part of Tarra in me. I will always belong to her in a special way, and she to me. It will always be our birthday.

Isn't that the way it is with all of us though? We are not our own! We are Christ's, He is ours...if we have accepted Him as such - our Lord and Savior. We share a common DNA with Him...the Holy Spirit. As a Christian I have that special bond with Jesus. He is my Friend (John 15:12-17), my Counselor (John 14:26), my Comforter (Isaiah 66:12-13), my Savior (John 3:16-18)...

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Bible states, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

We, being human, are born sinners and through Jesus' Grace we are saved. (Ephesians 5:8 "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of Light...") We are not capable on our own to live as Christ would have us. That is why we are given a manual - the Bible. It is not just the best history book out there, it is the Words of God...from His lips to our hearts ("All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16). Follow His instructions and life may run a little smoother. Warning though: life will not be without its troubles and trials. If anything, we may have more... ("In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,..." 2Timothy 3:12)

I, as all of us, have that sinful nature born in me and therefore, will always fall short of God's glory. I am struggling with that fact every day.Why would God the Father continue to love me and seek me each day when He knows I will never be able to attain even a slice of perfection so to be with Him? He knows this! That is why God sent His Son, Jesus, so we may one day come before Him in glory, washed white as snow through the sanctification of His blood, and by the Spirit may we approach the Throne. Oh what a glorious day that will be! I am His! I am not my own! And that makes me very thankful and blessed.

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-19)

In Him,  Terri