Avoiding change is nothing new. In Luke’s gospel, a rich young man came looking for Jesus. He wanted to know how to really live.
Jesus reminded him of God’s commandments; the man said he had kept them all. Jesus replied, “You lack one thing: sell everything and give it to the poor. Then follow me” (Luke 18:22).
Jesus made it sound easy, yet the man was filled with sorrow. He had a lot of money. It was too big of a change, too complicated, and too uncomfortable.
We may be called to different changes, yet we all have barriers that keep us from becoming the person God made us to be. We are not ready to let go of items or ideas that could lead us to a fuller, more Christ-like life.
Yet no matter what barrier we build, God can break though. This is what God’s work through Jesus is all about. If Jesus didn’t let death stop him, he’s not going to let our excuses, or our fears, keep him from bringing us life, purpose, and wholeness.
This message is excerpted from “Barriers to Transformation” by Sara Olson-Smith in the January/February 2015 >Gather magazine.
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