Sadness...

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: `Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." At that saying his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. Mark 10:17-22

I have always loved this particular Scripture because it really strikes at the heart of our possessiveness. Here the young man was a "good person". He did all the basics, and Jesus even looked upon him with love. Then came the thunderous words that rocked the young man's world! "You lack one thing; go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

WHAT?? SELL EVERYTHING??? DON'T YOU WANT ME TO BE HAPPY?? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE?? WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF ME?? WELL, I NEVER ASKED TO BE A SAINT!!

The question that Jesus asks so subtly but so clearly is: "Am I enough? Will you give up all things for me and find all your fulfillment in me? Who is more important to you...me or yourself? Me or your things? Me or your comfort?

The young man went away sad because he considered his possessions, his security, himself more important, more fundamental to his life than Jesus. He didn't go looking elsewhere. He knew that Jesus was the One to give the answers. That is why he went away sad because he knew he was walking away from Life...

Today let us take the opportunity to look deeply into our own hearts. Where are we refusing the Lord for our own self-centeredness? We all are, you know. It is important to recognize those places so we can bring them before the Lord for healing. True love demands a total gift of self with no reservations or anything kept for one's self. Do we love the Lord like that? What are we holding back? If we have given much to him, are we sad for doing so? Is there a part of us that is sad because we have given and wished it weren't so?

It is time for all of us to realize that there is no life in the things of the world. There is no life in money, possessions, or stability. There is only life in Christ Jesus. He is the one, and the only one, that can unequivocally state: "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (John 11:25)

Therefore, let us rouse up our courage and faith and risk that he is all that he says he is. Let us reach out in faith and love to the One who died and rose for us. If not, our going away sad may lead us to losing eternal life. We know that there is no other. We either ignore the question or, in sadness, turn to the temporary things of this world in an attempt to feel better all the while lying to ourselves that we are a "good person". Please...today is the day...