Is the effort worth it? That question pokes at most of us on our journey. The authors use the powerful encounter of the young, wealthy man who has everything but still feels empty. He seeks a deeper purpose that will fulfill him. Jesus offers him the answer, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to [the] poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21). He left sad because he couldn’t make that commitment and return to a life of the “same old same old.” There would be no growth.
The authors, Michael White and Tom Corcoran, pose these questions:
What have you pursued over and over again, thinking that it would fill the ache in your heart for happiness but instead has consistently left you unfulfilled?
What have you invested in heavily—an opportunity, a relationship, or an ongoing activity—that ultimately disappointed?
If you say that Jesus is Lord, how can you show in your actions, pursuits, or decisions that he really can fulfill your longing for more?
I think for most of us, these questions challenge us to dive deeper in to whether our priority in life is Jesus. For me, I look at the times I sought material security and superficial affirmation to boost my insecurities. Even as a priest, like the young man, I’ve walked back to the “same old same old.”
You know what? I imagine that young man encountered Jesus again and was ready to make the effort to follow him. I know I have. How about you? Answering the final reflection question today, my actions should be more inviting and less judgmental. I don’t need to answer my insecurities with self-centered pursuits. Jesus is my Lord, and the effort is worth it!