"If you want to give it all you've got . . ."

Have you ever talked to someone who is certain that they're going to heaven...that they will eternally be in the presence of God one day...because they are a "good" person or they have done lots of "good" things?  I've heard people proclaim this as fact, but in Matthew 19, as we read the story of the rich, young ruler, we see that this is not so.

The rich, young ruler asked Jesus, "What good thing must I do to get eternal life?"  Jesus answers, "Why do you ask me about what is good?  God is good..."  In other words, dear rich, young ruler, its not about what you can do, but about what God has done for you! 

Jesus tells him simply to "do what God tells him and he will enter the life of God (v. 17)."  Sounds simple, right?  But the rich, young ruler was like we are sometimes...he just didn't get it.  He asked Jesus, "What in particular?"  What specific things did he need to do?  There must be one or two things he could do to get eternal life.  Sometimes we find ourselves bargaining with God.  Surely you don't mean everything!  Everything, like all of it?  Well, I'll give you this or that, this part of my life or that part, but I'd like to be in charge of these pieces and this area, thank-you-very-much! 

Jesus goes on to tell the man (I love this part!) that "if you want to give it all you've got, go sell your possessions.  Give everything to the poor.  All your wealth will then be in heaven.  Then come follow me (v. 21)."  Verse 22 (in the Message Bible) says that he walked away sad "because he was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn't bear to let them go.  The young man went away sad because he wasn't ready to give God everything ...he didn't understand the gift of eternal life.  He didn't know the blessing that was waiting for him when he gave everything up and followed Jesus.

This is so challenging to me!  God really wants all of me...the good parts, the bad parts, the parts that are growing or need pruning...all of me...my imperfections, talents, weaknesses, abilities, fears, insecurities . . . all of me!  Everyday I want to choose to follow after Him wholeheartedly, knowing that it is not in my own strength, but because of his grace, that I can move forward and see what He has in store for me when I choose to give Him everything, again.