“Jesus looked at him and loved him.  “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.  At this the man’s face fell.  He went away sad, because he had great wealth.  Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
                                                                 Mark 10:21-23   NIV

Last week I spoke a message at a youth group called “You Are A History Maker”.  I played a fun TV Game Show style game called “Name That History Maker” where faces of different History Makers flash on a screen.  Kids got points if they could name the person, tell what they did and say if they were a positive or negative history maker.  I wanted to get into their minds that everyone is a history maker.  Today’s devotion is about the rich, young guy in the Bible; The Disciple Who Never Was.  He’s someone who by his decisions made history as the guy who loved his stuff more than Jesus.

I contemplated naming this devotion “Missed Opportunities”.  It’s so sad to me that this young man was offered the same invitation that Jesus had given to the disciples when he said, “Come, follow me”.1  If the rich young guy had said yes to Jesus, how different the history of his life would have been.  I don’t know if he continued to live out a comfortable, good life or if his bad choice gnawed at his conscience?

He probably didn’t face the struggles or persecution the disciples faced, but in light of history, did he make the right choice?  The record of miracles performed through him or people saved as he addressed the crowds is not recorded.  The only written record of his life is a rejection to the call of God.  In contrast, the miraculous adventures of the disciples are still being told through the Bible, books, movies, sermons and Sunday School lessons today.

We are all history makers.  Don’t let your life be marked with missed opportunities like The Disciple Who Never Was.

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Prayer

Father…Thank You for inviting me to partner with you in changing the history of the world.  Help me to see that what you ask me doesn’t cost me too much.  Your plan is worth more than anything this world has to offer.  Give me the boldness to answer yes to whatever You ask me to do!  In Jesus Name…Amen

1           Mark 1:17

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Sherry Stahl