As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 10:17-22
What would Jesus have said to you or me if we would have been the man in this story? Today I realized something for the first time, I think I'm a little late with this, probably you'll all say "No Duh, Amy." Anyway the thing I realized just made me want to write it down. So join me on my journey.
Today it occurred to me that this story isn't just about having money or being rich. I always kind of assumed it did and never tried to look deeper! Although in further verses of this text the Bible does talk about how it is difficult to be both wealthy and love God, really many of us Christians are wealthy. We have much much more than many people in this world who continue to love Jesus Christ under complete duress. Jesus picked the thing that hindered this man from inheriting eternal life and he asked him to give it up. This text should be cross referenced to Luke 12: 34 which you will read at the bottom of this post.
What is my treasure? Where is my heart? I know where it OUGHT to be! What would Jesus ask me to give up? Would it be my desire for more financial freedom? Or maybe the desire to have another baby? Would it be the worries I hold for my husband and children and their safety?What is holding me back from complete surrender to my Lord? What is it that I refuse to give Him?
Sometimes I feel like I'm looking into the future too much, wondering, and worrying what it will hold. Grief does that to you. You don't ever want to experience it again and yet you know you will have to. Recently at a ladies retreat we talked about "knowing the sting of death". When you've experienced the loss of a loved one you know that it's a "wrong" feeling, that that deep sadness isn't something man was created to endure. But because of our sin, endure it we must.
At this time in my life I am trying hard to be satisfied with every day, with every blessing and not spend each blessed day wondering, wishing, worrying about tomorrow. Believing your life is in the palm of God's hand is letting go. Letting go of what could have been, or what will be. I wish things could have been different for me, but they couldn't. God chose for me a path and walk it I must. I don't have to like all the trials, even Jesus asked to be spared in the Garden of Gethsemane, but once I see what lies ahead it's time to stop holding back that last bit, be it wealth or even Godly desires, and give everything to God.
Thanks for your prayers.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Luke 12:34
