A rich man encounters Jesus. He shares that he’s followed all the rules and “been good” since his youth. Jesus tells him to sell all he has and give his money to the poor.

Completely shocked by Jesus’ answer, he TURNED + WALKED away very sad, for he was extremely rich. - Mark 10:22

So many thoughts.

First of all, this was Jesus’ answer for THIS man. He knew he put his trust IN his riches and he knew the posture OF his heart.

I was this man. I put my trust in MY ability to keep it all together. To provide for myself. To climb the ladder and open the doors and do the things the world expected so I could have what the world offered. It wasn’t that great, by the way, what the world offered.

Jesus came to me and basically said “leave it all + follow me.”

And I did.

But what if I hadn’t? What if I’d been like … yeah, but you don’t get it Jesus. We’re settled here. In our dream home. Dream jobs. I’m at the top. We’re comfortable in our world. Katherine’s in a good school. My parents live close by. All is well. Can’t I just follow you and KEEP all this in place!?!

That wasn’t the prescription Jesus had for ME.

Or this man we read of in the Bible.

But he turned and walked away. Shocked and sad.

Wonder what the rest of his life held?

Don’t ask Jesus a question you aren’t prepared to hear the answer to:) He’s not so much into half-offerings and symbolic gestures. He’s going to want it all. It’s all his anyway…we just don’t get that. And he never asks for anything that he doesn’t already know is FOR OUR GOOD.

We have free will. Walk off sad, like this man, and say NO or walk in trust and say yes.

I’d highly recommend the later.

Xox