📖 Motivation Monday — Open Hands

The rich young ruler ran to Jesus.

He knelt before Jesus.

He asked Jesus about eternal life.

And then Mark gives us a detail I don't want us to miss:

“Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him...” — Mark 10:21

Jesus loved him.

And because Jesus loved him, He challenged the very thing that had captured his heart.

💭 Today's Truth

Jesus loves us too much to leave unchallenged the things that keep us from following Him wholeheartedly.

For this man, it was his possessions.

For us, it could be money, control, comfort, approval, a relationship, a dream—or simply our plans for how we think life should go.

The question isn't just, “What do I have?”

It's:

“What am I holding so tightly that I would struggle if Jesus asked me to open my hand?”

Because anything I cannot surrender to Jesus has begun competing with Jesus.

And don't miss what Jesus offered this man:

“Come, follow Me.”

Jesus wasn't merely asking him to give something up.

Jesus was offering him Himself.

Sadly, verse 22 tells us the man walked away grieving. Scripture never tells us that he returned.

He wanted what Jesus offered—but he wasn't willing to release what Jesus exposed.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me enough to tell me the truth about my heart. Show me ANYTHING I am holding more tightly than I am holding onto You. Give me the faith to surrender whatever competes for my heart and to trust that nothing I could hold onto is worth more than knowing and following You. Help me live today with open hands. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, pray it with me—or find your own words and spend some time honestly talking with Jesus today.

Remember:

The One asking you to open your hand is the One who loves you.

Open your hands.

And follow Him.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.