As we start another year many will make resolutions of change for 2009.  Most of these will be the typical, loose weight, save money, quit smoking…etc…etc….  But I would like to challenge you to ask yourself the ultimate question this year.  That question is the same one that a rich young man asked Jesus one night.  If you don’t know the story, one day a rich young ruler comes to Jesus and asked Him, “what good thing shall I do to have eternal life?”  Jesus says, “keep the commandments.”  The rich young man said I have.  Then he asks Jesus the ultimate question in verse 20 of Matthew 19; “What do I still lack?”  Here is this young man who has a lot of what the world holds dear.  I’m sure he was on someones top whatever list and yet he know’s that there is still something missing in his life.

There are so many people hurting these days.  Many of these folks if they are honest wish their lives could be like……… I have talked with many different types of people over the last few weeks and all of them have asked me this same question, “what do I still lack?”  Now they may not have used these exact words, but the meaning was all the same, there is a problem that I cannot figure out.  What should I do?  My answer is the same one that Jesus gave the rich young ruler.  “Sell all that you have and give it away, and then come follow Me. (v.21)

What are you taking about preacher?  You want me to sell all my stuff?  No!  Jesus is saying get rid of what ever it is that is blocking you from experiencing true fellowship with Him.  For the young man in the bible, it was his money.  What is if for you?  What is standing in the way of you experiencing life change?  What has Jesus told you to give up time and time again, only to have you respond like the rich young ruler?  (v.22) When the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools.  Pay what you have vowed.  Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.  Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin.  Before we make another meaningless resolution, lets search our hearts and ask our Father, what do I still lack?  And when He answers, lets not turn away sorrowful, let us keep our eyes on Jesus and run the race and finish what we have started.

Life is not a game, don’t play yourself!