More…But Not Enough!

What did He say?

I’m spending a lot of time in Mark this year—the fast-paced record of Jesus’ works and words.

The more I read and meditate, the more I identify with the disciples.

They spend their days walking along with Jesus as He does these spectacular miracles and says these wonderful sentences. And just when they think they have figured out their Master, He says something that turns them sideways.

“Hey, wait a minute Jesus. Are you saying that…

…you’re interested in these IRS guys and these prostitutes?”

…you love people who do the will of God more than your own mother?”

…we shouldn’t be afraid of these huge waves in this little boat?”

…we should tell these thousands of people that we’re going to feed them?”

…you’re really not interested in all these religious rules we grew up with?”

…rich people aren’t God’s favorites?”

…we can’t just make religious excuses to throw away our marriages?”

…we have to give up to gain, lose to win, serve to be great, suffer to follow?”

I know how they feel, don’t you?

Jesus said…

Jesus always tells me more than I can understand, but not as much as I want to know.

He tells me that somehow if I give my money to Him, I will end up with more to give to Him.

He tells me that if I love Judy with sacrificial love, I’ll receive the blessing.

He tells me that if I’m willing to suffer and serve, I’m on the road to true happiness.

He tells me that if I pay less attention to the people the world thinks are great and more attention to the powerless and poor, the homeless and hungry, the IRS agents and whores, I will make Him happy.

But Jesus didn’t say…

But He refuses to tell me exactly what He wants me to do today, or how to make sure that nothing goes wrong in my week, or how to avoid pain this year, or why He’s allowing our nation to become so wicked, or why some of my friends are sick and dying, or if He’s going to let me continue living with leukemia.

I guess that’s what it takes to follow the Living God who refuses to submit His power to my will: Trust!

The older I get, the more I feel like the desperate father who begged Jesus to deliver his tormented son. When Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes,” he responded honestly and in tears, “Lord I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)