We know about surrender. We’ve trusted our eternity to God and with that, the ongoing work of surrendering to God’s way in the arenas of love, forgiveness, money management, relationships and on and on and on.
What about our hours and days? Have we ever come to the foot of the cross with “time” in our hands to lay at His feet? Have we ever surrendered the use of our hours and the rhythm of our days into God’s keeping, His plan?
With a little twist, Mark 10 could be titled, “The Busy, Young Ruler.” Allow me to give it a try. The “retelling” of this story speaks deeply to the inner chamber of my heart.
As Jesus started on His way, a man ran up to Him and fell on his knees before Him. “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” … “You know the commandments: Do not murder, do not commit adultery, to do steal, do not give false testimony, do 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. (What a peek into Jesus’ heart! Jesus has hard words to say to this man, but His motivation is singularly focused. Love.)
“One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, surrender the use of your hours and days. Live in the rhythm I have established and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come follow me.”
At this, the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because his calendar was very full. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for busy believers to enter the kingdom of God.”
The disciples were amazed at His words (because busy believers are the ones who get the all the work done!). But Jesus said it again, “Children how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a busy believer to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:17-30
Wow. If this is not powerful enough, Jesus goes on to say that our surrender will be brutal. It will rip and tear from us precious things – people, passions, ministries but, when our surrender is in response to Jesus and the gospel, “we will not fail to receive a hundred times as much in the present age and in the age to come, eternal life.”
But we must be fully aware. With these treasures, also come persecution (vs 30). People will not understand. We will disappoint them. They will press hard and we will feel the sting of their disapproval. I will be tempted to buckle.
When facing this new surrender of time (of my calendar and my commitments) and all the challenges that will arise, I will find all I need in verse 27:
“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Your turn: does this story of “The Busy Young Ruler” speak to you?
Is This Your First Time Here?
Welcome! We’re a group that gathers around the theme, “There has to be a better way.” We’re finding it in the 4-word mission statement, “Run hard. Rest well.”
- It’s a journey into the heart of God. It comes our way through an on-going exploration of four biblical rhythms that revive, replenish and restore: Sabbath Keeping, Sleep (and other simple stress-reducers), Stillness—personal retreat, and Solitude—personal retreat.
- It’s an expedition that challenges us at every turn. It convicts us in deep, tender places. It alters our priorities and plans. It’s not for the faint of heart.
- It’s adventure at its best – as we learn to run the race in a power not our own.
- Where to begin…
OH MY GOODNESS! Does this ever resonate withing my heart! It is certainly not a one shot thing, but speaks directly to where I am at this point in my life. As an older Christ-follower, I have done many things in the church over the years & am trying to discover what it is He wants me to do NOW – not what others think needs to be done. Thank you for these words. I will certainly ponder them in the days/weeks/months ahead.
Karen, there are so many things we hold tightly, but for me, the hardest most rewarding surrender has been the on=going work of laying down MY claim to MY time. This story speaks volumes to me. Convicts me. Compels me. His Word is alive and speaks loudly (and lovingly) when I choose to listen…and obey. Onward my friend. Lifting up a prayer for you right now on this remarkable journey of ordering your “doing” to what He has called and not just what other’s want. We need to cheer each other on!
Ouch! What a great paraphrase that speaks precisely to my heart struggle. Good vs best and entirely adequate vs perfectionism. Love the charge to surrenders hours. Really want to trust contentedly that God will manage my time. Thank you Brenda, for this visual.
Renee, Mark 10 with a twist has been blessing me for years. It hits a deep, deep nerve in many of our heart. Sending up a prayer that you will savor some very intentional time outside watching the first leaves fall from the trees. It’s amazing what 5 minutes sitting outside with God will do for my weary heart. Blessings! Brenda
I was arrested by “The disciples were amazed at His words (because busy believers are the ones who get the all the work done!). “. This is where I am working right now. For me….I need to be more busy. That is just a fact. In the midst of circumstances I have fallen into a deep depression and ceased “working”. I have excuses, but they really are not valid. Regardless.
I live with people who rarely have time to visit with me. There are friends who love me and miss me and tell me on FB they are praying. But no one calls or asks to meet over food or coffee. Please don’t feel angry towards them or sorry for me. People care, but there is work to be done, and work is more important then people. Look at the elderly in nursing homes or people in the hospital. When the church started so many years ago, people were coming to Jesus because of another person’s actions in response to Jesus….feeding the hungry, visiting those in prison, caring for the widow and orphan. They didn’t come because of the music ministry or the interactive opportunities within the church. They came because each Christ follower had a ministry to people in their neighborhood. Busy? Oh, yes. Busy about the work of the Kingdom and not the programs of the church. How did they know what to do? They spent time with Jesus. Thank you, Brenda, for these convicting words.
Oh Brenda, this spoke loud and clear to me, more so than the rich young ruler. Just this week I was asked to pray about adding another weekly commitment to my calendar for a very good thing, but I’m hearing loud and clear it is not the BEST thing for me or my family. Thank you for your retelling of Jesus’s story.