Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.

 

This anonymous quote shows up regularly on social media every autumn.

It expresses well the idea of "release," which was recently the focus of our Sunday worship.

 

In Matthew 19:16-22, a rich young man asks Jesus about how to obtain eternal life.  When Jesus tells him to keep the Commandments, the young man assures Jesus that he has kept them all.  

 

Jesus responds that the young man lacks one thing: “If you want to be perfect, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  The young man goes away sad because he has great wealth.

 

Does this mean that all Christians must sell our possessions and give the money to the poor?  No, not as a rule.  But if we want to follow Jesus, we must be willing to release to him anything we clench in our fists that keeps us from giving ourselves wholeheartedly to the journey of following him.

 

What stands between you and taking your next step with Jesus into the future?  Make this a matter of prayer.  Discover how beautiful and freeing it can be to release to God all that's standing between us and him.

 

Warm greetings in Christ,

Pastor Dallas Bradel