Willing to Change
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Luke 18:22-23
Hopefully this passage prompted a self-evaluation of your life. Christ made sure this specific encounter between Himself and this rich, young ruler was in His word to encourage self-reflection and a willingness to change.
Therefore, what in our lives have we made into an idol or have allowed to become our identity? Is it finances, is it a career, is it a title, is it education, is it our family, or maybe our past? It’s clear how finances, career, etc. can become idols in a person’s life, but how can their “past”? In fact, putting our past on a pedestal and idolizing it is an insidious, overlooked strategy the world sells to inhibit the Kingdom.
Have you ever talked to someone, and they say, “that is just who I am,” or “I cannot help it; I’ve always been that way.” Or maybe they associate with their past abuse or problems in a distorted way, and their very identity is linked to the issues they have faced in their past. They use their past as a reason for their decision making or they wear their past as a badge of honor. This is in no way dismissing the pain and suffering people have endured, but the truth is, it does not define them. Yes, you learn from it, you gain experience and wisdom from it, but your abuse, your addiction, your suffering is not your identity today. No, you are not a recovering alcoholic, but a son of the one true living God. No, you are not a recovering addict, but a son of the one true living God. No, you are not that child that was abused, but you are a son of the living God.
Christ proclaimed in John 1:12, “for those who have received Him are God’s children. He also reminded us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
So, as you start your day, reflect, pray, and hear Holy Spirit as you consider your life. Do not find your identity in what the world sells or in the events of your past. But embrace this new life you have in Christ. Put Yahweh first in all things, and be willing to change!