“Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” The young man who approached Jesus with this question has always made sense to me. Why can’t I be a Christian and still have my own way? Or do I mean, why can’t I be a Christian and follow…me?

I have always been afraid that following God would mean losing the things that are important to me. Even after making the decision to follow Him I still find myself struggling with that question where the details of life are concerned. ‘God, can’t I make it up to you by DOING something instead?’ Maybe I also see God sometimes as the Mean Teacher, just waiting to confiscate my ‘goodies’ and toss them in His cupboard.

I do so need to spend less time following me.