I have to admit, Father, that Wednesday’s are rough. Getting up at 4:00 am to be at work by 6:00 I just can’t seem to get up any earlier to write. After a very full day, I would ask that You would help me to give my full attention to You. Help me to hear what You would have for me, so I may be challenged and grow to be more like you. Amen.

Matthew 19:16-30 (<<click the green)

Most of us would agree that, at least in American culture, we are defined quite often by what we do. We label ourselves with monikers connected to where we go to school, what we do for a living or to whom we are related. Some of us rightfully take pride in how far down the road of accomplishment we have traveled. For many, it has taken many, many hours of hard work.

Honestly, just about any of us could stand in the place of this young man interacting with Jesus. It’s easy for us to ask this simple question, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

Our lives are all about doing. Jesus replied, “…if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” And again, for the most part, we too could check off that box. We’re basically good people, right? We’ve never killed anyone or had an affair or stolen anything of significance.

So as the young man replied, we too could ask, “What else must I do?”

And Jesus’ answer turned his (and our) world on its head. Yes, Jesus told him to do something, but it really boils down to who the young man was – it wasn’t about doing, it was about being.

Life is not about checking all the boxes. Go to church –check. Be kind – check. Read my Bible – check. Pray before I eat – check. Throw a little something in the offering plate– check. Love others – check. Love my mom – check. We can do all those things but if we are not living our lives being in an honest, open relationship with God, it is all to no avail.

Lord Jesus, help our doing to be an outcome of our being. Amen.

Aug 15th, 2018, Wed, 9:21 pm