Life is beautiful when we let go of our minds’ incessant commentary.

(Listen to my song “Slow Me Down” on YouTube by clicking HERE)

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Matthew 19:16

Now someone approached him and said, “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?”

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This story gets right to the heart of the Christian belief…and yet it is still roundly misunderstood by Christians.

The young man approaching Jesus wished to somehow merit eternal life.

He wanted to know what “good” he must do…in other words…how can he “achieve” heaven?

Jesus told him to basically follow the Commandments if he wished to “enter life.”

Already he was telling him that it is about now…not some future heaven.

It’s about being present now.

It’s all gift!

God freely gives us the kingdom of heaven each moment.

That’s what grace is!

But the man didn’t get it…and so he pushed Jesus to tell him exactly what to do to make up for what he lacked.

At this point, Jesus gave the man an impossible directive: “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.”

When the young man heard this statement, “he went away sad, for he had many possessions” (Matthew 19:21-22).

Of course, no one can “be perfect”!

And it’s not about being perfect…but being perfectly loved by God!

Jesus stated this again in the Gospel of Luke: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy” (Luke 12:32-33).

When we let go of all our attachments (which is pretty much the only way you can actually be present)…you are beginning to experience the kingdom of heaven.

It’s also the place where you realize that you lack nothing.

So…what’s holding you back from this experience?

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Listen to the song of the day “Slow Me Down” on the Mercy Reigns album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Remember…God loves you!