Garbage Bags of Blessings

by Brooke Bergan
Published August 19, 2005

"...Come, follow Me." -Mark 10:21-22 (NIV)

The above statement was made by Jesus, but to whom? To his disciples, one of the 12 perhaps? To someone He'd healed, perhaps from a lifetime of leprosy or bleeding? No, that particular statement was made by Jesus just after He'd asked a rich young man to sell his belongings. You have to wonder if the young man even heard these once-in-a-lifetime words spoken by the Master, or if perhaps he became so caught up in what he couldn't do, that was, keep his possessions, that he missed Jesus' invitation of what he could do? And if he did hear Jesus' words, how many times must he have kicked himself for choosing material wealth rather than the true power and riches that were later displayed by those who did follow Jesus? How many opportunities went into the trash can with this man's choice to walk away? Could this worldly ruler have become like one of the 12, ending up as a disciple and being mentored by the Master himself? Might he have eventually been chosen to replace Judas after Jesus' resurrection? What questions ran through this man's mind four years later when he passed Peter or John preaching on the streets? Did he wish he'd thought of these things before leaving Jesus? I'm sure he did.

It has been said that fools learn from their own mistakes, while the truly wise learn from the mistakes of others. Let us take time to think carefully about the opportunities that stare us in the face each day, regardless of what the world teaches. Perhaps God is calling you into a different vocation, one with less pay and more hours. Will you go? If not, be prepared to kick yourself later on over the opportunities you miss. However, should you choose to follow God's leading you won't be disappointed, for His desire is to bless you far more than you've ever dreamed, but you have to accept those blessings in His way, through His will, and at His time.

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