A lot of us, as we begin this New Year, may be thinking about what we could add to our lives to become more of who God has created us to be. Read our Bibles. Go to the gym. Drink more water. Spend more time with friends and family. Go to Church. Give more.

We call these New Year Resolutions or simply New Year goals. Let me preface with saying, these are great things to reflect on and to possibly implement.

But what if this year God is asking you to give something up?

What if it takes giving something up to become more of who God wants you to be?

In Luke 18 we see Jesus speaking to a Rich Ruler. This ruler asked Jesus “What must I do to inherit eternal life? (verse 18) In a sense he is asking “How can I become more of who you have created me to be?”

He was essentially asking Jesus what more he could do. What is one thing he could add. He felt he was on the right track but wanted to continue to secure his spot with God. Maybe this was the beginning of a New Year? Possibly he was searching for his New Year’s Resolution.

But what does Jesus say?

“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (verse 22)

Jesus asked the man to give something up. But not just anything. He asked him to give up his most prized possession. His riches. This ruler had accumulated great wealth, it was wealth he had probably worked extremely hard his whole life to obtain.

So why is Jesus asking him to give it up? Is wealth bad? Absolutely not. Jesus asked this man to give up his wealth because it had become his treasure. His focus. His reason. His wealth became the most important thing to him. It became more important than God.

This ruler’s wealth stood in his way of fully committing to God.

So, what your one thing? What is one thing you put all your focus and attention on last year that possibly pulled you away from God? What is standing in your way?

Maybe this year God is asking you to give instead of to add.

I pray this New Year you clear out the space to truly hear the voice of God.

God bless you!