Heartstrings

This morning as I was reading a familiar story but it was a gentle reminder from God that I needed to recheck my "heartstrings" and see if I/my heart was holding on to anything tighter than Him......where, what and who am I focusing on.

In Mark 10:17-22 is a story of the rich young ruler, read it from he Message:
17As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?"
18-19Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't lie, don't cheat, honor your father and mother."
20He said, "Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!"
21Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, "There's one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me."
22The man's face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

Check this out - Jesus loved him!.....there's one thing left, go & sell whatever you own & give to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth, and come follow me. The young man's face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, & he walked away with a heavy heart. He was holding on to tight to many things, & not willing to let go.

What are my thoughts & how am I similar to this young man? How am I different?
This is waht I needed to be reminded of today & what I daily need to remind myself.

Luke 9:23- Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

If I want to choose life then I need to be willing to die daily of ME and let Christ LIVE IN ME.
Like this young man, I am a rule keeper.....I know how to keep score but I don't always let go. I hold on too tightly to things & relationships because I am afraid of losing them. Afraid of not being perfect. Afraid of peolpe not liking me. Caring more about relationships with people than about what & who God has blessed me with. Focusing on what I don't have instead of seeing all that I do have.....the Eve Syndrome.

How am I different? I am not willing to walk away sad, defeated & not willing to let go. Jesus loved him even though the young man walked away. Jesus loves us so much and he gives us the choice. Just like this man I get to choose......and I choose life. I am daily choosing to relinquish control & chase after God. I am choosing to focus on the good in my life & in my relationships.

Thank you, Jesus, that you looked me in the eye today and loved me enough to speak truth in my life.