Week 28, Days 1-4
Luke 9-12 “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:31–34, TNIV) I’ve been on the road and out of town at a conference for ministers. So, writing has taken a backseat this week. But I have a minute to catch up and share one of the most meaningful passages of scriptures for me personally. Luke’s Gospel has challenged us to consider our lives and how we have positioned ourselves in the world. How have we tried to insulate our lives with wealth and the “securities” of this world? How have we tried finding peace in a world of influence, wealth and the pursuit of power? The rich man is illustrative of our current situation. One of the fastest growing industries in America is storage units. A quick trip through any town in America will tell you we have run out of room for our possessions, and we are building bigger barns to accommodate. There is ultimately for me a trust issue when it comes to turning over possessions for pursuit of the kingdom. I am often afraid to abandon the securities of the world to rest in God and seek his kingdom. But it is these words that offer a great comfort, “Do not be afraid.” Do not be afraid, your father loves you and cares for you. “He is pleased to give you the kingdom.” It is God’s heart to welcome you into the Kingdom. There is nothing to fear. Perhaps you’ve taken “give you the kingdom” to mean “dying and going to heaven.” But it is very much concerned with our present realities. God is pleased to give you life in him, today. You are free to pursue the kingdom and have life anew under the reality of Christ as King. This trust issue is truly foolish. Just one look around the garage or basement and I can be quickly reminded of the failure of possessions and wealth I’ve tried finding comfort and security in. Yet Jesus’ words here remind me, comfort and encourage me that what I should truly trust in is, “a treasure in heaven that will never fail.” Christ doesn’t fail. We can trust in him.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorJordan Ickes, Minister of Etna Green Church of Christ. Archives
December 2022
Categories
All
|