Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Matthew 19:16-22 (NRSV)

Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

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Reflect

To say I love to-do lists is a huge understatement. I start each day by listing the tasks that I need to get done. I use the list as a guide throughout my day. My favorite thing about using a to-do list is marking off something I have completed. It brings me a lot of satisfaction to see a check mark by a task.

When I read this parable, I wonder if the young man was a to-do list person. Maybe he was gathering his thoughts about what he had to do to gain eternal life. Too many times we want to create a to-do list for following Christ: Went to church–check; read my Bible–check; tithed–check; etc. We will not gain eternal life by creating what would be the longest to-do list known to humanity, but by following and living into relationship with Christ.

May we go forth striving to live and follow Christ more deeply.

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Pray

Gracious God, thank you for being patient with us as we strive to follow you more fully. Amen.

Go with God.