“Release It”
By Rev. Everett R. Kimble, Sr.
“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.’ At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” (Mark 10:12-22)
I remember as a little boy, before I asked my mother for something I thought was big I would do little things to try and gain favor with her. I would be as helpful and attentive around the house as possible in hopes that I could get a favorable response when I asked her for whatever it was I hoping to get.
I’d get excited just thinking about how well my little plan was going to work. But if the answer was no when I finally asked, my mode would quickly change to one of sadness and disappointment. My little schemes never fooled her because she was always doing what was best for me, but sometimes she would allow me to think I had won.
In this story we see this “Rich Man” running to Jesus to asking the big question that we as disciples of Christ long to hear from those who are unsaved: “What must I do to inherit eternal life.” Jesus quickly gives him a rundown of things he should be doing and you could almost hear the anticipation in his voice as he responds, “all of these commandments I have obeyed since I was young.”
But then Jesus quickly redirects him to the only thing that really matters. He tells him to go and sell all of his possessions, give the money to the poor and come and follow Him. Scripture does not tell us what ultimately happened to that young man but in that moment the Bible does tell us that his face fell and he went away sad.
How many of us are standing in a moment right now, understanding clearly what it is that is standing between us and our Godly destiny but we are unable to get to our purpose because we are unwilling to let go of a possession. The one thing that you know is keeping you from moving forward you won’t let go of because you believe that it would be to painful and hard to move forward without it.
Well, here is my simple but timeless encouragement for you today. You have to let go in order for you to let God do what is necessary in your life. You cannot keep a firm grip on God and the thing that separates you from Him. Something has to give.
I have been there and this is what I have learned; God knows exactly what He is doing and He knows what is best for you. It sounds cliche but it is true – let go and let God.
Have a blessed and beautiful Friday.
