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 Thoughts on a Monday  

My son and I recently returned from a camping trip at Natchez State Park. He had fun setting up the tent, fishing, and cooking over a fire. When it came time for bed however, the fun was pretty much over for him. He tossed and turned. He tried to lay at one end of the tent and then he would try the other end. He also had to get up and use the bathroom about five or six times, so I would have to wake up and unzip the door for him. If not for the sleeping part, he would have had a blast!  

There are things in life that we all enjoy, and there are things that we don’t enjoy. Some people like coffee, while others can’t stand the smell of it. Some people are made for the outdoors, while others prefer room service. There is something in life for everyone. That is the beauty of God’s creation. We can pick and choose whatever we want… Apple or Android. Xbox or PlayStation. The beach or the lake. The mountains or the plains.  

This works with just about anything in life, except for your faith. People try to pick and choose what they believe, as if they were lining up at the Biblical Buffet, but that is not what faith is. Growing up, my preacher would use this analogy of a bumper sticker. He said that there was a popular bumper stick that read: “God said it. I believe it. That settles it.” That is a good idea, and it probably sold quite a few bumper stickers, but it’s not quite accurate. It should read: “God said it. That settles it.” It doesn’t matter if we believe it or not – if God said it, that settles it.  

There was a man who came to see Jesus in Mark 10:17, “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” I’m not sure what he expected Jesus to say, or what he was prepared to do. Maybe he was prepared to buy lunch for some widows, or lead the choir at church, or even put a little money in the offering plate. Whatever he was expecting Jesus to say, it did not prepare him for the answer…  

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. -Mark 10:18-22.  

This story always gets to me. That guy really had no idea who he was talking to. He had a chance to be one of Jesus’ disciples. He had a chance to follow Him, eat with Him, sleep with Him, take part in His miracles, see Him change the world! But… the price was too high. He couldn’t see giving up all that he had and surrendering to Jesus. You make think that you would have done things differently, but let’s face it… we all are asking the same question that the rich young ruler asked: what must I do… I, ME, how can I do this. YOU CAN’T. Only Jesus can.  

You cannot pick and choose what you want to believe. That’s not how this works. You must fully surrender to Jesus and follow Him. You must allow Him to direct your path. You must allow Him to make your decisions for you. His way is the only way!  

Have a great week!  

-Jason