Thoughts While Immersed In A Spring Landscape

This view distracts me when I am sitting with Jesus.  I think He understands.

I just finished reading the gospel according to Luke in the sacred Scriptures and two interactions with Jesus nabbed my attention.  Both involved wealthy men.  Both were given an invitation.  Only one received a transformed life. 

These two accountings of Luke take place in back to back chapters.  In the first one in chapter 18, a ruler comes to Jesus, addresses him as "good teacher" (presuming to know what Jesus was), and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life.  This man assures Jesus he has been a good person since he was a boy, keeping all the commandments.  Jesus tells the ruler to sell all his possessions, give to the poor and gain treasure in heaven.  Jesus then extended the invitation to this ruler of great wealth to follow him, to have relationship with him. The man was sad because he had great wealth.  It was a hard "do". 

Note to self:  When invited to "do" things for Jesus apart from relationship with him, it is hard. 

 I'm noticing this delightful fragrance; the lily-of-the-valley is pure sweetness.

The account that follows in chapter 19 tells of another man of great wealth but less respectable in the eyes of the community being a chief tax collector.  He also pursued Jesus but scriptures state it was because "he wanted to see who Jesus was".  Apparently this man, Zacchaeus, came with an open mind and heart in pursuing an encounter with Jesus.  When Jesus spots Zacchaeus, he extends an invitation of relationship to this wealthy man and it is gladly accepted.  Home to Zacchaeus' house they go.  As a result of this time together, Zacchaeus, addressing Jesus now as "Lord", declares he will give half his possessions to the poor and make restitution to those he cheated, paying them back four times the amount taken.  Jesus proclaims salvation came to the house of Zacchaeus, calling him a son of Abraham. 

Note to self:  Being with Jesus changes my heart and my actions.  When I pursue who Jesus is I discover my Lord and who I am to be!

The ruler and the tax collector clearly represent two approaches to God.  One approach is God presumed understood and then attempting to do good things for him.  It is doing to earn favor.  The other approach is pursuing relationship to understand who God is and receiving boundless grace from Him.  Grace that transforms a life.

In the Bible study I just completed called Children of the Day by Beth Moore on 1 and 2 Thessalonians, she provided a extensive definition of grace from the Greek word, "charis".  From it I personalized a definition to try to capture what spoke to my soul:

Grace is the loving kindness, favor, pleasure and acceptance of the Lord Jesus unveiling the true, redeemed Melanie in all her God-purposed and designed uniqueness. 

Feel free to sub in your name.  I would not presume to have all the theology of grace captured in that statement I constructed.  But it helps me color in more of what grace creates in my life, paired with God's truth.  When I spend moments being with Jesus I receive grace and I become more of who I am meant to be and the doing follows.

Each flower and shrub is uniquely beautiful according to divine design.

The ruler walked away sad and unchanged because he wasn't open to parting with his money and learning to know Jesus. The tax collector learned to know Jesus and gave away half his money and made restitution with what was left. 

Being with Jesus is the best doing you can do.

Why is it so hard to do? 

Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

"There is no way a soul can thrive when it is hurried."  Dallas Willard

"Now this is eternal life;  that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." Jesus, John 17:3

Abundant living is knowing God Almighty!