“What do I still lack?”

In Matthew 19:16-26, we read: "Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."  "Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" "All these I have kept ," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."  When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  NIV

Friends, without love...with out God's mercy and intervention...we’re left asking ourselves the same question the rich young ruler did, "what do I still lack?"

Religious duty always leaves us with a gaping hole because deep within us resides a vacuum that can only be filled with a love from God, that’s reciprocated back to God. The rich young ruler had obeyed all the commandments. He religiously observed all of the law but missed the greatest one—to love the Lord your God with all your heart—and he felt empty.

            The same remains true for us. We can determine to pray, setting up rigid schedules, keeping spiritual prayer logs; offering deliberate worship without missing one planned meeting, and still completely miss communicating with God altogether. In the end, we eventually find ourselves asking this same question, “What do I still lack?” We feel like there’s something missing, wondering to ourselves…there’s got to be more to life than this.

            Perhaps that’s why Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Because loving him, truly, passionately, loving him provides the key to experiencing life with him. In passionately pursuing him and losing our life for his purpose, we find our life. If we love God, and love remains the true motive of our heart, then no mountain is too high, no valley is too low, and no cost is too great; nothing will keep us from searching him out.

 changes obedience from drudgery to a life source, to an experience filled with exhilaration, and provides moments where we taste of the heavenly, leaving us craving more and more of God’s Presence. Want to genuinely love Him more? If so, here are a few helpful hints:

            Love

1. Ask Him to fill you with a greater revelation of WHO He is. I like to pray, "Father, surprise me with greater revelations of WHO YOU ARE today."
2. Focus on the cross and thank Him for your forgiveness. When I meditate on the great sacrifice Jesus made for me, I'm compelled to love Him more passionately.
3. Spend time in His Word, write down what you discover about His character. I like to write down characteristics peppered all through out Scripture. "The Lord is loving toward all He has made." "Compassionate." "Slow to anger." "Defender." "All-powerful." "Faithful." I'm getting excited about Who I serve, just reflecting on these characteristics. How about you?
4. Ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit every day. The Holy Spirit searches the mind of God...oh how desperately we need His presence in this fallen world!
5. Invite Him to speak to you by simply praying, "Lord, speak...I want to hear You." And then listen. Each morning, I like to silently sit before him and listen. Each morning...He shows up!
6. Fill Your life with praise. Begin to thank Him for the simple things. Sunshine on your face. Food to fill your body. The love of your family...Oh we have so many things to be grateful for. Don't we?
7. Remember...what is impossible with man is possible with God. So...ask Him to genuinely fill you with a greater love for Him. It's not by our might, it's not by our power...it's by HIS SPIRIT.

I know today's post is pretty simplistic in approach...but when practice the steps above, daily...they'll change our life.