Just then someone came up and asked Him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” “Why do you ask Me about what is good?” He said to him. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he asked Him. Jesus answered: “Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.” “I have kept all these,” the young man told Him. “What do I still lack?” “If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard that command, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. Matthew 19:16-22
My words…
Praise
Lord, I praise You that You are the God who interferes. You say, “Do it my way. Here let me show you.” The wealthy young man felt You stepped over the line. You asked him to do something outside his ability – so he thought. I rejoice that You step in the way and say, “I love you too much to sit idly by and withhold instruction, warning, encouragement.” You do not ask of me something beyond my ability. You hold high expectations of me. You do not lower the bar. You teach that striving for perfection, wholeness, completeness is attainable, and You tell me how. I don’t have to guess or figure it out on my own.
Prayer for me
Your word compels me to live differently from my natural inclination. Left to my own compulsion, I would hit back instead of turning my other cheek. I would hoard my possessions instead of sharing. I would never give up my place in line for anyone. Keep drawing me back to Your word. Interfere with my life! It’s the only way I will grow in wisdom, and it’s the only way to know You better.
Prayer for others
So many people hold to a belief in a god that C. S. Lewis calls a “Life-Force.” It’s a very easy god to claim, for this god has no morals, no mind, and won’t interfere. Lewis said, “This Life-Force is a sort of tame God. You can switch it on when you want, but it will not bother you. All the thrills of religion and none of the cost. Is the Life-Force the greatest achievement of wishful thinking the world has yet seen?” I know so many people who claim to believe in this god – the god who expects nothing of its believers, the god who is controlled by a switch. Reveal to them, Lord, the truth, and rend their curtain of wishful thinking.
More praise
When my life grows complicated, and I am faced with many choices, I look to You and say, “Please just tell me what to do.” Why would I refrain from turning to the One who knows all, the creator of wisdom? I call You the God who interferes because it’s Your interference that saves me. I thank You and I praise You for being an interfering Father.
