“Come, Follow Me”

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know that commandments: ‘You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honor your father and mother.’” He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 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.

Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 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.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

Mark 10:17-27

Personal downsizing usually occurs when someone moves to a smaller home. Things are let go when there is no longer any room for them. However, divesting is about freedom, expansion, and dreaming new dreams. Instead of searching for meaning in possessions, we are called to find life and freedom in Jesus.

Think about what you have in life, whether it is riches, family, or health. If anything you own or if anything else affects you, watch out because it may keep you from obeying Him wholeheartedly. Are you ready to open your hand, release it, and freely follow Him?

A faith that costs nothing and demands nothing is worth nothing.

Our Daily Bread – June 23, 2007