Scripture Reading: Mark 10: 17-27

I was a freshman in a high school Bible study, we were discussing the nativity story. The president of the club, giving the discussion, said this regarding the scene “The first words that someone ever said to Jesus were We don’t have room for you”.

A hush fell over the room as all this group of freshman and sophomore girls–all ten of us–fell collectively still and silent. The sudden realization sent us into something between contemplation and sorrow, especially as she continued, “Over and over again, baby Jesus was told as they were turned away from inns, We don’t have room for you. And people still say that to Jesus. They refuse to open their hearts, saying to him, “There’s no room for you here.”

Strictly speaking, that statement isn’t necessarily historical truth–what about everything that happened on the journey over? what about all the words Mary likely whispered to her growing baby?–it’s something that’s stuck with me ever since. Especially in the context of our hearts–between our schedules, our relationships, our hobbies, and ourselves, there is so much warring to occupy the space of our mental and emotional devotion that Jesus is often shoved aside to make room. In terms of our lives (much less our hearts), we often crowd out our time with God, whittling away at it to make time for “more important” things.

Thus, even though it’s a bit cliche, I wanted us to read and reflect on the story of the rich young ruler. There is one thing standing in the way of him and a relationship with God–wealth. As young college students, this likely doesn’t seem like a character we could relate to. But what about the wealth of obligations we have, the wealth of entertainment we have access to, the wealth of relationships constantly battling for dominance? Like money, none of these things are inherently bad, but when we can’t give them up, even for God, they have the potential to become, as they are for the rich man, a barrier to the Kingdom of Heaven.

But Lent is a season when we make room. We take things that are important to us and deliberately set them aside so we can create extra space for God by upsetting our daily rhythms, or removing something that competes for our attention.

Reflection:

What have you given up in this season, in order to posture yourself towards God?

More importantly, what, like the rich young ruler, do you find yourself unable to let go of when God asks?

How can we take the lessons we learn from “making room” during Lent back into our normal rhythms after Easter?

 

Written by Grace Watkins