“Jesus…said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your
way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor…and come, take up the cross,
and follow Me.’” –
Mark 10:21
Have you made room for God in your heart? If your heart was a house, have you given God a room in which to abide, albeit a nice room, or have you given him the whole house. Each of us has at least a room or two that we have reserved for ourselves. Like the little girl that put a “no boys allowed” sign on her bedroom door. We put a “God not allowed” on some doors in rooms of our lives. Rooms that hold things that we love and do not want to give up. Perhaps it is the right to do what we think is right. Or perhaps some behaviors that are clearly contrary to our new nature and the Word of God bringing the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but to which we are emotionally dependent upon and find comfort in. Emotionally and relationally unhealthy things. Things that usurp the sovereignty of God, that occupy places that belong to God. Like the rich young ruler who loved his wealth and possessions, there are things in our lives that prevent us from experiencing the joy, peace and assurance that comes from total surrender to God.
We were talking to a family member some time ago. They are struggling with an issue, one that finds its root in the poor choices they made for which they are under the strain caused by the consequences of those choices. When Martie encouraged them to read the Psalms to find comfort, you could hear a change in their tone of voice. There was a distance that had not been there before. It was clear that they were not interested in a spiritual solution. They quickly diverted the subject from themselves to other people. Like the woman at the well trying to divert her conversation with Jesus because He was getting too close to the “thing” she was clinging to. It broke my heart to see them turn away from God in our conversation.
There are doors to rooms that we don’t want to give God entrance to. Jesus said “pick up your cross”, “give up everything that competes with your devotion to God”. The Psalmist wrote “Trust God with your all” Paul said “offer yourself as a living sacrifice.” I say “Let the doors in your heart swing wide.” The young man did not lack good deeds, he lacked faith in God and devotion to God. He preferred his priorities, his definition of what is right. He missed God because of it. Please, don’t make the same mistake.
Have you made room for God in your heart? If your heart was a house, have you given God a room in which to abide, albeit a nice room, or have you given him the whole house. Each of us has at least a room or two that we have reserved for ourselves. Like the little girl that put a “no boys allowed” sign on her bedroom door. We put a “God not allowed” on some doors in rooms of our lives. Rooms that hold things that we love and do not want to give up. Perhaps it is the right to do what we think is right. Or perhaps some behaviors that are clearly contrary to our new nature and the Word of God bringing the conviction of the Holy Spirit, but to which we are emotionally dependent upon and find comfort in. Emotionally and relationally unhealthy things. Things that usurp the sovereignty of God, that occupy places that belong to God. Like the rich young ruler who loved his wealth and possessions, there are things in our lives that prevent us from experiencing the joy, peace and assurance that comes from total surrender to God.
We were talking to a family member some time ago. They are struggling with an issue, one that finds its root in the poor choices they made for which they are under the strain caused by the consequences of those choices. When Martie encouraged them to read the Psalms to find comfort, you could hear a change in their tone of voice. There was a distance that had not been there before. It was clear that they were not interested in a spiritual solution. They quickly diverted the subject from themselves to other people. Like the woman at the well trying to divert her conversation with Jesus because He was getting too close to the “thing” she was clinging to. It broke my heart to see them turn away from God in our conversation.
There are doors to rooms that we don’t want to give God entrance to. Jesus said “pick up your cross”, “give up everything that competes with your devotion to God”. The Psalmist wrote “Trust God with your all” Paul said “offer yourself as a living sacrifice.” I say “Let the doors in your heart swing wide.” The young man did not lack good deeds, he lacked faith in God and devotion to God. He preferred his priorities, his definition of what is right. He missed God because of it. Please, don’t make the same mistake.
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