January 5, 2020 – Let it go

LET IT GO

In Disney’s movie ‘FROZEN”, the song ‘Let It Go’ has become incredibly popular with so many Disney fans, not the least of which are my granddaughters, who love both the movie and the song.  They don’t know most of the lyrics to the song, but when it comes time to sing “Let it go!’, they really do! It’s fun.

In today’s scripture, a rich young ruler comes to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. You can read about it in, Mark 10: 17 – 31.  (Go ahead. Read it. I can wait.)

¹⁷ As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” ²⁰ And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” ²¹ Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” ²² But at these words ^[a]he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. (NASB)

Did you see?  The man couldn’t let go. 

Jesus was pointing out to the young man that although he believed he had done well in keeping the law, his love and need for his wealth and possessions, and all they afforded him, had become a stumbling block to him in keeping the first two commandments, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”, and “You shall make no idols.”

He had grown to love and rely upon his blessings more than the one who blesses. His blessings had become his idol.

In Jonah 2:8, we read that” “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” What a terrible way to lose.

For the rich young ruler, it was about more than the money and possessions – it was about the prestige they had brought him, and the security he felt they guaranteed in life for both him and his family. He just couldn’t let go of the blessing – because he couldn’t see that the one who brings all blessings was inviting him to follow him with hands and heart open to receive. Jesus promises treasure in heaven. The young man couldn’t see it.  Couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t let go.

Forfeit!

As we start a new year, let’s remember that in Jesus, all things were created, created through Him and for Him.  He has given and gives us all that we need!  He is Jehovah Jireh our Provider. He is the author and perfecter of our faith. He is the breath in our lungs. And He loves us with a perfect love. He is God, and we are His.

He invites us to follow Him, which means He is asking for everything!  All our worship, our trust, our faith, our dreams, our gifts, our resources. We are to be living sacrifices.

Ask Holy Spirit if there is anything in your life that is becoming more important to you than your trust and faith in Jesus. A blessing that has somehow become more important to you than the One who blesses.  Anything that is diverting worship from God and God alone. He will answer, and in view of His mercy and grace, let it go.

And keep following.