Here are a few thoughts that have really captured my imagination today that I wanted to share.

Life is an adventure when you make God your passion.

Just once we pass this way. Therefore, let’s attempt something so great, so imaginative, so demanding, that when it has been accomplished, all will know it could not have been done without the aid and blessing of the Almighty God.

For many are called, but few are chosen.
Matthew 22:14, NASB

In context, the last verse is Jesus telling a parable about a King who invites people to his wedding. The guests chose not to come, so the King extended the invitation to anyone who would come. Then he spotted a man at the wedding who wasn’t dressed right, and sent him packing. There’s so much you can get out of this story, but here’s I was impressed with:

God has an invitation out to anyone who would take Him up on it to live an absolutely incredible life. We all have the option to live a life so fulfilling, so full of peace, so full of joy, so full of love, that literally nothing else could top it. How do you do it?

By being at the wedding dressed appropriately. By being ready and prepared for the life God wants you to live. By shedding all the unnecessary ‘clothing’ and wearing the things He wants you to put on.

It’s about making God your passion. When you’re passionate about something, you will do absolutely anything for the sake of the object of your passion.

So if it’s that easy, why don’t we?

Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

“Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”

“Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Matthew 19:16-26, NLT

So many people miss the point of this passage. Jesus isn’t knocking being wealthy. The point is that this young man wasn’t willing to let go of his wealth in order to completely and passionately pursue Jesus. There was something in his life that was still rooted deeply in his heart. He was obviously a good guy – he obeyed the laws, had lived a good life, and had seemingly done all the right things. But the heart of the matter was that money still controlled his affections. And so the young man walked away sad, because he wasn’t will to surrender that area of his life.

God! Don’t let there be any one thing in my life that keeps me from living a life of passionately pursuing You! Only with God is it possible, but an undivided heart is my prayer. A heart that is so passionate about God that it’s willing to surrender anything and everything that would keep it from being appropriately clothed for the wedding feast of the King. I’ve been invited – it’s only my preparation that stands between me and the table.