What Still Holds Our Hearts

The Weight of the Kingdom

Scripture Reading: Matthew 19:16–30

“Jesus looked at them and said, 

‘With man this is impossible, 

but with God all things are possible.’” 

Matthew 19:26

As the energy of a new year settles into January’s steady rhythm, many of us echo the rich young man’s question: What more must I do to find real life? We come to Christ carrying resolutions, good intentions, and moral effort—yet still sense a quiet ache within. His encounter with Jesus reveals a searching heart that had done much, but still held tightly to what felt secure. Jesus’ invitation to sell his possessions was not a test of generosity, but a revelation of allegiance. God’s purpose does not accumulate more duties; it reorders the heart. As C. S. Lewis once wrote, “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become.” True life begins when lesser securities no longer compete with God’s call.

The difficulty of this surrender is captured in the disciples' own astonishment, leading them to ask who then could truly be saved. Jesus’ response—that what is impossible for man is possible with God—is the ultimate anchor for our year ahead. We often white-knuckle our way through life, holding tightly to our reputations, our comforts, and our curated plans. However, Scripture weaves a different narrative: that true freedom is found only when we stop trying to earn our way into the Kingdom and start trusting the King. To follow Him may require "letting go" of the very things we think define us, but this release is the only way to make our hands empty enough to receive the deeper life  and grace He offers.

Living out our calling this year means trusting not in our capacity to sacrifice well, but in God’s power to do what we cannot. Jesus’ assurance—“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26)—reframes the entire journey of discipleship. When we place the Kingdom of God above our own carefully constructed kingdoms, sacrifice is no longer measured by what we lose, but by what God is able to bring forth. Letting go becomes less an act of deprivation and more a surrender into grace. What we release for His sake is never wasted; in God’s hands, it is transformed into freedom, endurance, and the quiet joy of walking closely with Christ.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Give us grace to loosen our grip on anything that draws our hearts away from You. Teach us to trust You when the path is unclear, and remind us that what feels impossible to us is always possible with You. May we be shaped by Your Spirit, and our lives reflect Your purpose.

Amen.