November seems to be the month where we take a deep breath just before we plunge into all the activities of the holiday season. The problem is that I already feel as if I am out of breath from all of the things that demand my attention right now.

The holidays truly are all about the gifts we have been given by God. starting with thanksgiving where we celebrate the bounty of the harvest, through Christmas and ending as we celebrate the New Year. Is it any wonder in the midst of all the work of preparing for these holidays coming one right after another that we get stressed out and overwhelmed? It reminds me of the story of Mary and Martha. No wonder Martha was "distracted." Yet Jesus reminded her "there is need of only one thing" and that one thing was focused around relationships.

I hardly seems fair that on top of all these things we at RLC add our annual stewardship events yet these events are relationship centered, focused on the "one thing" of which Jesus reminded Martha. Stewardship is about forming a right relationship with God, the people around us and even creation itself. Like the word relationship itself you have to know your place and your purpose before you can carry out the roles and responsibilities that come with every relationship we have. How would you have felt as a child if you came to the dinner table to find it empty because you parents had decided to play all day? Or turned to you an asked you what was for dinner? When we do not take our proper place in the world everything falls apart.

It seems like a silly comparison yet it is basically what Jesus was trying to teach the rich young rule that came to him seeking answers. The man's concern was for eternal life something personal yet Jesus' answer was to quote the commandments, all of which concern how we relate to God and to other people. The rulers response was simple, "I have kept all these since my youth." Luke 18:21 Jesus could easily see how the whole focus of the ruler's life as centered around himself and his awareness of his role in the world and the lives of other people was completely lacking. "Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

This response completely focuses on God and the people around the rich young ruler. The real problem was he had no idea of who he was or what his purpose should be. As shocking as this answer might seem to us as well as the rich man what Jesus was asking was simply to choose service over self interest. He needed to see his position as a ruler as a servant, a steward of God's people instead of a divine right to do with as he pleased. Is it any wonder that he walked away depressed? His view of himself and everyone around him had just been turned upside down.

Pastor Jim Bliss
November 2010