“Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.” (see Mark 10:17-27)
Most of us would regard this wealthy, law-abiding person as one of the “haves,” as opposed to one of the “have-nots.” But Jesus lovingly identifies something important this person lacks, something holding him back from experiencing life with God and deep relationships with those around him.
For you or me, it could easily be an attachment to wealth that gets in the way of true spiritual freedom and a close walk with God. But it could very well be something else. We tend to find safe lanes in which to travel, living up to our own level of religious obedience, or spiritual enlightenment, as we understand it. In doing so, we may actually be getting nowhere. In love, the Lord speaks to us, “one thing you lack.” It is not simply to judge, condemn, or criticize, for the sake of keeping us down, but to rescue us from whatever grips us, whatever holds us back, from having the life with God we need. Whatever it is we lack, whatever is in the way, is not worth maintaining, holding on to, or resisting, compared to being close to God and living fully in the ways of love, justice, and mercy, the way we profess.
Is this something you are ready to receive from God?
Is this something we know how to address together?
NEXT FOUR SUNDAYS
- October 20 – Contemplative Prayer; ONE THING YOU LACK; Mark 10:17-27
- October 27 – Intercession/Supplication; FAREWELL HARBOR CHURCH
- November 3 – Confession; SACRAMENT
- November 10th – Gratitude
YOUNG CHURCH
- Bigger Kids is happening this Sunday!
- Big Kids
- Godly Play: THE GREAT FAMILY; Genesis 12-15, 24