Homesick: For Comforts
As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life?” But Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not give false testimony, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth.” Looking at him, Jesus showed love to him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”
Mark 10:17-23 (NASB)*
Let your steadfast love comfort me…
Psalm 119:76 (ESV)
Most “comfy” Christians in America understand the rich, young ruler’s challenge. Because compared to the rest of the world…
We’re rich young rulers in a rich young nation. Even the poorest people among us (not counting the homeless epidemic) still live better than billions of others.**
God’s Word calls us rulers, kings, and priests!***
We live in unprecedented freedom!
We connect in unprecedented ways!
We circle the world. We share our lifestyles!
We impress people, for better (or worse)…
Through arts, entertainment, and media!
Entering this “hit parade” Stage Right are…
Actors, models, and talent for Christ!
But to abandon our creature comforts in pursuit of this exemplary path… is a sacrifice hard to consider! We love roomy houses, spacious bedrooms, private bathrooms, easy access, yards and driveways, toys and treasures! (Being pampered, are we wearing Pampers? Are we grown-up kids with “pacifiers”?)
Although I’ve dramatically downsized, I still live in relative abundance, but 2 questions keep me from settling “down”.
Can we carry loads of favorite things, and still have the strength to carry our cross?
Will we step beyond our comfy cozies to walk forward in our Great Commission?
In reconsidering the story of the rich young ruler Jesus clearly LOVED… what happened to him? I choose to believe he reconsidered his values and chose Christ as his Treasure!
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
As talented ambassadors of Christ made to enter the fields of media (as models of better priorities)…
Opt out of “mutual admiration” based on “likes” and things people think they own. You’re called to rise and shine differently!
One of your roles is to show the beauty of a simpler and refocused lifestyle…
Which was the lifestyle of Jesus, the Man!
Homesick: For Comforts (Part 5)
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.
* Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler (entire story, plus His follow-up Words to His disciples): https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A17-31&version=NKJV
** Short Forbes Article: Astonishing Numbers: America's Poor Still Live Better Than Most Of The Rest Of Humanity: http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2013/06/01/astonishing-numbers-americas-poor-still-live-better-than-most-of-the-rest-of-humanity/
** The poorest 20% of Americans are richer than most nations of Europe:
https://fee.org/articles/the-poorest-20-of-americans-are-richer-than-most-nations-of-europe/
*** 'And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are You to take the Book and to break Its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your Blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth' ' (Revelation 5:9-10, NASB).