“Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’ ‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.’ ‘Which ones?’ he inquired. Jesus replied, ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’ Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he has great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’“ Matthew 19:16-26
Dear Jesus, That young man thought he needed one more little tweak in his already healthy, wealthy life and then he would be set for eternity. He didn’t realize he needed a complete makeover. He was sincere but he was sincerely wrong about spirituality and eternal life. He thought it was earnable. His perspective started with himself and moved upward and outward, instead of starting with you and moving downward toward him. Everything he thought he was earning was already a gift that came at a huge price for you. He thought you were a good teacher, but you were his sacrificial Redeemer. He thought you were only human but you were his God, his Creator. Our life is a gift of grace and our salvation is too. Until we realize that we are really not amassing anything of value before you, we will always live in counterfeit wealth. Our possessions and our good works look like Monopoly money to you. It’s all temporary and worthless in the heavenly kingdom. Help me to live in the freedom of faith filled detachment from my wealth, health and personal accomplishments. Make me a giver like you. My life and salvation are a gift from your divine hand. Help me give it back to you by sharing it with people you place near me who need it. Amen.
If it feels like something is missing in your life, you may be much more off track than you think.