NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

July 5 - Letting go of distractions

Scripture focus: Another day, a man stopped Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Jesus said, "Why do you question me about what's good? God is the One who is good. If you want to enter the life of God, just do what he tells you." The man asked, "What in particular?" Jesus said, "Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't lie, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as you do yourself." The young man said, "I've done all that. What's left?" "If you want to give it all you've got," Jesus replied, "go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me." That was the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crest-fallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn't bear to let go. As he watched him go, Jesus told his disciples, "Do you have any idea how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom? Let me tell you, it's easier to gallop a camel through a needle's eye than for the rich to enter God's kingdom." Matthew 19:16-24 (The Message)

Learning how to listen, truly listen, requires letting go of things that distract.

I wonder if we took a few minutes and made a list of all the things that we simply cannot let go of -- what heretofore unnoticed addictions and dependencies might we uncover?

Why do we pick at God, asking for clarification about what is permissible and what is not?

What is our point?

Is it to mollify our sense of shame and self-condemnation? Are we trying to justify our actions?

I'm going to go make a list of the people, places and things that I believe I simply cannot live without and see what pops up.

I suspect this is going to result in some confession.

If you make your own list, let me know what you discover...

Recommended reading: Judges 7-9

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