**Luke 18:21-23

Most of us know about the story of the Rich Young Ruler in this chapter of Luke. He went to Jesus I’m sure with a heart ready to do whatever He thought he would be told to do to fit his comfort. 

He asked the question and Jesus gave him his answer that he must keep the commandments. I’m sure he was happy and put a check in the box as he proceeded to tell Jesus that he does all those things.

Then here comes the blow, Jesus told him that yes, you do all those things but yet there is one thing that you lack in doing… Many of us are doing it all but yet, there is that one thing that we lack. 

We go to church every time there is church, we do our quiet time, we offer unto God, pay our tithes, etc., but today Jesus is saying that “You still lack one thing…” That one thing that you are so afraid or not ready to let go.

That relationship that you know is not going anywhere but because of your time and resources invested in it you refuse to let it go. 

That social status that you have that you know draws you away from God but because of fear of not fitting in or being irrelevant to the world you refuse to let go. 

So many of us are saying God I will do anything but___fill in the blank for yourself. When Jesus told the young ruler to go do that one thing, scripture says he became very sorrowful.

Why was he sorrowful? Because it would be difficult for him to sell all his riches and give to the poor. A lot of us have become our own cause of delay and hindrance in our lives because we are busy doing everything else but what the Lord really wants. 

It’s good to go to church and do all those things mentioned above, but know that what takes you from being ordinary to extraordinary is heeding to what the Lord is asking of you.

Maybe you are sitting there and blaming satan for all your issues, remember that God is all powerful and he has satan under control but what about you, have you checked yourself lately (heart, mind, motives)? 

Abraham was taken from ordinary to extraordinary when he heeded the direction of God to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice (Genesis 22). You know Jesus is a gentleman, He won’t force you to do what you don’t want to do because, He has given you your free will.

But also know that anything that He asks you to do and you obey, there are supernatural blessings which will follow it. (Luke 18:28-30) Maybe it seems impossible to let that thing go but with God all things are possible. 

That “but” is what is blocking you from everything that you have ever wanted. So why don’t we stop saying I will do anything but… and start saying I surrender all to you Lord, or help me Lord to surrender all to you and stay surrendered.

Have your way Lord and sustain me in your strength while you do. Let’s be real, it’s not easy at all, sometimes even getting rid of a shirt in your closet that you haven’t worn in years and you know you will not wear can be a challenge, then talk about real life changing stuff. 

But it is possible with God. So, stop avoiding Him and go to Him for real for real and genuinely ask Him what is it that you want me to do or let go off. Trust me you will get an answer. May the Lord be with you and give you boldness in obedience to follow Jesus. Amen!