Letting Go

We are taught to strive, to chase our goals ambitiously, and to hold tightly what we've earned. We are encouraged to be self-sufficient and independent - leaders, not followers. This is all well and god until we run into the grace of God. In Mark 10 Jesus turned the tables with a young man that had done well all his life - seemingly ready for the kingdom of God:

17 As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?" 18 Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. 19 You know the commandments: Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't lie, don't cheat, honor your father and mother." 20 He said, "Teacher, I have - from my youth - kept them all!"

Enthusiaticaly, the young man had kept all the traditional rules laid out and was ready to be acknowledged by Christ, but then Christ challenged the kingdom he built and said "give it up":

21 Jesus looked him hard in the eye - and loved him! He said, "There's one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me." 22 The man's face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

We see the young man was "holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go". Jesus went on to say:

23 Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who 'have it all' to enter God's kingdom?" 24 The disciples couldn't believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: "You can't imagine how difficult.

When we have it all together on our own accord - the control, the right answer, the right plan, the right vision, the proper execution, just as this young man had - God doesn't have control. It is common sense that you can only have one boss, one person to answer to. Anything more creates confusion.

Matthew 6:24

"You can't worship two gods at once. Loving one god, you'll end up hating the other. Adoration of one feeds contempt for the other.

That is where Jesus lays down the challenge. As we read earlier on in Mark 10:

15 Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." 16 Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.

Jesus challenges us to lay it all down, just like a child. To let go - lovingly and trustingly - into the arms of God. To server Him alone, knowing that just as a good father provides for his children, so our Father in heaven will never let us go to waste. He will always be there for us right from the beginning and through until the end - eternally and forever.