Turning Points: WHEN WE'RE SO CLOSE

Familiar with this image? It was shot at the finale of this year's American Idol competition. The guy smiling in the middle, David Cook, won. The short dude applauding on the left, David Archuletta, finished second. This was a bit of a surprise. Archuletta dominated the head to head round in the mind of the judges and the fans in the theater. Pundits predicted that he'd win the online vote in a landslide. But he didn't. He got so close to his dream. Then things headed a different direction. Sound familiar? Not all turning points are good or welcomed. Sometimes we feel like we're on the right track- heading in the right direction. Then instead of moving ahead, we take an unforseen turn.

SO "CLOSE"
These kinds of turning points don't just happen to you and me. People in the Scriptures experienced them too. Like the "Rich Young Ruler". Probably not his given name. And although you might not guess it by a title like that, he was very close to getting the life with God that he wanted. He approached Jesus with excitement, humility and honor and asked a great question. He kept the commandments. Evoked a certain affection from Jesus. Heck, Jesus said the guy was only missing ONE thing spiritually speaking. (Not sure I'd want to see how many things would show up on my "stuff I'm missing with God" list!) Of course, "close" is a relative term. Ever tried to hike over to that mountain "right over there"? What kind of gap separated this man from his stated quest? Only complete and voluntary poverty.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR
Why did Jesus make such a demanding request? Because he answered the man's question. Although it is easy to see this as a conversation about money or even salvation, I think Jesus' words are about something even more important- eternal life. Sometimes when we're so close, Jesus has the nerve to offer us what we're asking for. And what we want from God may not look like we expect it to. Instead of eternal life = salvation after death, Jesus offered this man a quality of life that comes from living in relationship with God and people in the here and now.

DECISION TIME
The problem with having Jesus offer us the thing we say we want? Then we've got a decision to make. Do we REALLY want the thing we've asked for? Are we willing to do what Jesus says we have to do to get it? Jesus invited the rich young ruler to trade the good in his life for God's better. He'd been keeping rules. Jesus offered him a relationship. He had riches. Jesus offered eternal treasure. He had assets to hold on to. Jesus offered him freedom through simplicity. Even though the exchange looks good on paper (or computer screen)- it obviously wasn't an easy decision.

My guess is that if God offered us the things we say we want, it wouldn't be easy either. Do we really want to be humble? Enough to fail? Do we really want to be forgiven? Enough to forgive ourselves? Or others? Do we really want to be mature? Enough to endure hard times? Do we really want God to lead and guide us? Enough to have faith and venture out into uncertainty?

BIG SWINGS & PROBABLE REGRET
This conversation between Jesus and this wealthy young guy must have been brief. Each speaks only twice and the whole exchange is captured in one paragraph. I'm guessing that this encounter took less than one minute. 60 seconds is long enough change our emotions and path in life. When this guy approached Jesus he was so excited and so "close". A moment later he walks away from Jesus- dejected. Where did he end up? We don't know for sure. But I'm guessing that he replayed this encounter in his mind and had some sense of regret. At least that's the way I've felt about similar turning points that led me away from Jesus. How about you?

REFLECT
Q: The guy in this story came running up to Jesus- full of questions, respect and humility. How do you bring yourself to Jesus? What do you communicate to Him?

Q: Mark (who tells this story) somehow knew that Jesus loved this guy. Whether Jesus verbalized it or Mark read it on his face or in his voice- we don't know for sure. How and when do you sense the love and affection of Jesus in your life?

Q: If you were in this story, what question would you ask Jesus today?

Q: What do you think Jesus would say you are missing or is keeping you from the thing you'd ask Him for?

Q: Do you feel like you are close to any decisions or turning points when it comes to Jesus?