Discouraged or Devoted

. . . Jesus . . . said to him, ’You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have . . . and come, follow Me.’ But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich —Luke 18:22-23

Every real relationship has a “fish or cut bait” moment” a time for making a commitment. For the rich young ruler, this was the time. Jesus knew he wasn’t ready, but the rich man pressed and when Jesus asked for his riches, the young man wasn’t ready. He wasn’t ready to be devoted; he was discouraged.

Marriage used to be a an example of this for us. It had a point where the parties faced the commitment decision: do I go all the way with this person? Is this for real? Is this forever? Do I forsake all others and go with this one for better or for worse? Am I ready to give all I have to get all they have? In exchange for that commitment we got real love, security, and life long faithfulness. Not so much any more. The generation that gave us one night stands, hooking up and living together has also brought us mile high divorce rates, lack of commitment and rampant insecurity. Relationship is more than a Facebook status. I should not really blame this generation. It started with mine. We thought we invented “free love.” That’s an oxymoron. There is no such thing. Love isn’t free; it requires commitment. The more the commitment; the more the love. Without commitment, there is no love.

So when we tell this generation about Christianity and tell them it’s about relationship. They don’t know what we are talking about. They think that’s a temporary, feel good thing. When we say God is “love” they don’t understand. They think we’re talking feelings and pleasures. Relationship is about giving it all to get all. It’s about giving up on me and focusing on us. It’s about forever. It’s about he’s not leaving and neither am I. Love is not about physical pleasure. It’s about carrying about another above all else. It’s about knowing you are loved no matter what. It’s not about this is okay for now. It’s not about this is good until something better comes along. It’s also not about “will he still love me if?” or “will I still love him when…?”

No marriage is perfect. It wasn’t in my time. But with our Lord, we have a perfect partner. His love is perfect. His sacrifice is complete. If we are to have all He has to offer; He asks for our everything. For those of us who no longer understand “love” and “relationship” that’s hard to grasp. But for those of us who do, there is a chance we will appreciate all Christ offers and a chance we will understand what He asks from us to get it.

Devotion not discouragement is the lot of the Christian as it is with the couple who understands love and relationship and blessing.

You want it all; give it all and be blessed.

Nick.