July 24

Lay It All Down

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy (Luke 18:23).

Scripture: Luke 18:18-25

Song: “Faith of Our Fathers”

I sat by the bedside of a dying woman. She had been a good church-going woman all her life, hardly ever missing a Sunday. She always helped out whenever anything was going on. And she did her best to live a good and moral life.

As we sat together in her hospital room, I saw her eyes filling with tears. She told me of someone who had hurt her deeply many, many years ago: “I’ve tried so hard, but I’ve never been able to forgive her, to lay that burden down. It’s like a heavy weight I’ve carried around in my heart all these years.”

So many things we are called to let go—but we hold on anyway. Perhaps this woman knew the pain of our Scripture’s “certain ruler.” He left Jesus with a sad heart because he could not part with his wealth.

And what are you holding so tightly today? If we will follow Jesus, we must learn to travel light, laying aside those things that would tie us down or hold us back from the joyful adventure of discipleship. Wealth or bitterness or any other “possession” can hinder the heavenly fellowship. Therefore, in love, Jesus invites us to lay it all at His feet.

Lord Jesus, You call me to follow You on the joyous and light-footed journey of the gospel life. Receive into Your hands, dear Lord, those things that weigh me down and keep me from following You more closely. I pray in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.