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I love the story of the rich young ruler, found in Matthew 19:16-22.
Here’s a guy who appeared practically perfect, fully devoted to God and
certainly not one to hold back from his savior. I am imagining a guy
who attends church every weekend, serves in multiple facets in the
church, has a nice home and a nice family with a nice wife and a nice
car and probably even a Blackberry with the numbers of several
prestigious people in it. He’s good-looking and dresses sharp and would
probably tell the cashier at the grocery store to have a blessed day
when she checks him out. I bet he says “amen” during sermons and
carries church business cards with him to leave on tables at
restaurants.
Here’s a guy who appeared practically perfect, fully devoted to God and
certainly not one to hold back from his savior. I am imagining a guy
who attends church every weekend, serves in multiple facets in the
church, has a nice home and a nice family with a nice wife and a nice
car and probably even a Blackberry with the numbers of several
prestigious people in it. He’s good-looking and dresses sharp and would
probably tell the cashier at the grocery store to have a blessed day
when she checks him out. I bet he says “amen” during sermons and
carries church business cards with him to leave on tables at
restaurants.
Now, mind you, there’s nothing wrong with any of these things in
themselves… in fact, what’s wrong with serving, being blessed,
edifying yourself during a sermon, and promoting one of your favorite
places to be? NOTHING.
themselves… in fact, what’s wrong with serving, being blessed,
edifying yourself during a sermon, and promoting one of your favorite
places to be? NOTHING.
The problem arises in verse 20, when the young man asks for more of
God, for more fulfillment and purpose than religiously following the
day-to-day rules and living with no passion outside of himself.
God, for more fulfillment and purpose than religiously following the
day-to-day rules and living with no passion outside of himself.
“The young man said to Him, ‘All these things I have kept; what am I
still lacking?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be complete, go and
sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure
in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard this
statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much
property.” (Matthew 19:20-22 NASB)
still lacking?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If you wish to be complete, go and
sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure
in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ But when the young man heard this
statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much
property.” (Matthew 19:20-22 NASB)
It’s sad to say that most of us Christians give up more of God, our
loving Savior and mighty Defender, because there are earthly things that are closer to our heart. I did this every year in high
school… acceptance and pride kept me skipping classes, disrespecting
my parents, and avoiding my Bible. In fact, I was much like the rich
young ruler: I had a form of godliness; I went to church and served and
even loved the Lord, but not enough to let go of my kingdoms and begin a
personal relationship with Him that involved sacrifice and radical
obedience.
loving Savior and mighty Defender, because there are earthly things that are closer to our heart. I did this every year in high
school… acceptance and pride kept me skipping classes, disrespecting
my parents, and avoiding my Bible. In fact, I was much like the rich
young ruler: I had a form of godliness; I went to church and served and
even loved the Lord, but not enough to let go of my kingdoms and begin a
personal relationship with Him that involved sacrifice and radical
obedience.
I am making a choice to be WILLING and OBEDIENT to him today. I
am asking, like the rich young ruler, for more of God than this
day-to-day life that feels so purposeless and immobilizing; however, the
difference will be that when God tells me to give up my territories, my
riches or whatever it is that I hold closer to my heart that Him, I
will not walk away grieving. I will walk away with an attitude of
humility and love for my Savior; will I be weak and emotional and
probably even hurt or angry at times? Absolutely! But my story won’t
end with you never hearing of me again; my story will end with you
hearing of a new depth I reached in my relationship with God, a
“discovering of a deeper direction”, you might say. 🙂
am asking, like the rich young ruler, for more of God than this
day-to-day life that feels so purposeless and immobilizing; however, the
difference will be that when God tells me to give up my territories, my
riches or whatever it is that I hold closer to my heart that Him, I
will not walk away grieving. I will walk away with an attitude of
humility and love for my Savior; will I be weak and emotional and
probably even hurt or angry at times? Absolutely! But my story won’t
end with you never hearing of me again; my story will end with you
hearing of a new depth I reached in my relationship with God, a
“discovering of a deeper direction”, you might say. 🙂
All this to say, are you hungry and thirsty for more of God and
what He has for you, or are you complacent and maybe even suppressing
His truth?
what He has for you, or are you complacent and maybe even suppressing
His truth?
Be sure to think long and hard about this… I know I am not
completely given to Him. I am complacent in a few areas (one I know of
is my devotional time – it’s been more with my head and less with my
heart lately; I’m fighting being afraid of emotions) and I am sure I am
suppressing the truth in areas, too.
completely given to Him. I am complacent in a few areas (one I know of
is my devotional time – it’s been more with my head and less with my
heart lately; I’m fighting being afraid of emotions) and I am sure I am
suppressing the truth in areas, too.
Ask yourself these questions: How badly do you want more
of God? How much are you willing to give to Him? How obedient can you be? How much sacrifice
can you handle? How many relationships will you give to him? Can you
handle the pressure of not being able to do whatever you want whenever
you want? How much do you love the God that loves you without
condition?
of God? How much are you willing to give to Him? How obedient can you be? How much sacrifice
can you handle? How many relationships will you give to him? Can you
handle the pressure of not being able to do whatever you want whenever
you want? How much do you love the God that loves you without
condition?
These are a few questions that I have to ask myself pretty
frequently. Reflection is hard, surrendering is even worse (at the time), but man, does it
turn into the greatest adventure life has to offer!
frequently. Reflection is hard, surrendering is even worse (at the time), but man, does it
turn into the greatest adventure life has to offer!
Much love. Please let me know if I can pray for YOU for anything this week! 🙂
