Experiencing God's Presence #307

Experiencing God's Presence #307

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Mark 10:21

The rich young ruler can at least be glad he wasn’t named in Scripture. He goes down in history as someone who turned down the opportunity of a lifetime—or an eternity—by not following Jesus. He came with a question about how to inherit life, and Jesus felt compassion for him. But the man was more attached to his possessions than he was to truth. He went away sad. He had an opportunity to live in Jesus’ Presence and instead he chose his personal status quo.

An invitation into God’s Presence—or into any new level of relationship with Him—almost always involves such a choice. Perhaps it isn’t as dramatic as a whole new lifestyle, as the rich young ruler faced, though it may be. But it at least involves a choice between Jesus and our current schedule, or Jesus and our current employment, or Jesus and the way we currently spend our free time, or . . . well, you get the picture. Whether a heart-idol is involved or not, the logistics of priorities dictate a choice. When we want more of Him, we almost always have to have less of something else.

How much do you want more of Jesus? Your heart probably gives one answer and the current constraints of your lifestyle another. And something has to give. But the rewards of knowing Him more deeply always outweigh the costs. And He always responds to those who say yes to His Presence.

Jesus, I never want to make the same choice that the young man made—at any level of my life. I do say yes to Your Presence and always want to go deeper, whatever it costs.