Mark 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.  Some things to remember when facing difficult decisions… Remember Jesus loves you!  Jesus,  beholding him, loved him!  We will face decisions in life that are not easy, yet with God’s help it is entirely possible to make the right choices.  In our text passage we find the rich young ruler went away sorrowful because he chose riches over righteousness!  When facing difficult decisions it would behove us to decide on the basis of eternity, rather than the basis of time.  Do you think these riches helped this young man when he died?  I think NOT!
Everyday we are faced with difficult decisions.   One thing that has helped me through the years is to make decisions based on principles,  not preferences.   Will it honor God?
Will it hurt my testimony?  Is it in accordance with God’s word? How will it affect my family, my church?  Suppose the rich young ruler had considered these principles.  Would it honor God to deny oneself and take up the cross and follow Jesus?  You know it would!  Consider this… If the rich young ruler could come back to this encounter with Jesus, do you think he might make a different decision?  There are decisions in life that are difficult.   We need not stress, we need to trust!  Christian’s have a guide on the inside!  Slow down, listen carefully,  allow the Lord to lead the way!  Just because the decisions are not easy, that doesn’t mean making the right decisions are not possible.   All things are possible to them that believe!  Relationship decisions,  financial decisions,  ministry decisions,  career decisions, can all be made in a selfish way,  or a Spiritual way.  Personally,  I hate to admit, but I have experienced both ways.  The decisions that cause us to take up the cross and follow Jesus are the ones that we benefit from both here in this world, as well as over there with our Lord in the next.  Amen.  Pastor