Letting Go

What is it that you tend to hold onto the longest?

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 the 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. -  Mark 10:17-22

What keeps us from moving on in relationships is memories and shared dreams that will never be realized.

Perhaps the man with many possessions was afraid he would lose relationships with people he loved if he gave up all he possessed.  Would they stay by his side if he had nothing?

How many people worry that if they lose their job, they will lose their home, and with that, possibly their family as well?

Jesus goes on to tell his disciples it is hard for a man of wealth to enter the kingdom of God.  It makes me wonder if we have to give up all our relationships as well.

Jesus warns about being at odds with family members over one's decision to follow him, and Paul admits he believes it is better not to be married.

So, there is a lot to give up to follow Christ.  No wonder it is so hard.

It is easier to make major changes in one's life if one is alone and has nothing to lose.  The more we have, the harder it is to change, especially if changing requires giving up things.

I guess if we were confident in our relationships, that they were not based on what we have or can provide, but on who we are, we wouldn't hesitate.  But the lack of confidence can be a real deterrent to change.

Jesus told us to let go and let God.  

It sounds a lot easier than it sometimes is.

More to come...