What's the one thing standing between you and the life God is calling you to lead? Is it Money, comfort Control? I'm Chris Moore, and this is Leading 10 where we dig into the leadership of Jesus to guide how we lead ourselves, our teams, and our businesses. In Mark chapter 10, we meet a man who seems to have it all together. He runs up to Jesus, Neils before him and ask Good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? Jesus recites several commandments and the man replies master. All of these have I observed from my youth. He's successful, he's religious, and apparently. He's a moral person, but Jesus looks at him and sees something deeper. Scripture says this. Then Jesus beholding him, loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lacked, go thy way. So whatsoever thou has and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure and heaven and come take up the cross and follow me. The man walks away, grieved. Why? Because he had great possessions. He wanted leadership, but he wasn't willing to let go of what was holding him back. Mark chapter 10, verse 21. Then Jesus beholding him, loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lack. Jesus isn't anti wealth. A matter of fact, uh, his disciples, many of his followers, they were business owners, uh, throughout their livelihood, their, their life. But he is always concerned with what owns our hearts. Leadership starts with surrender, and surrender always reveals what we truly value. The rich young ruler had followed rules. But he hadn't given his heart. He had checked all the boxes, but he hadn't let go of the control. Jesus loved him enough to confront the very thing, keeping him from stepping into something bigger. Picture, a business leader who's built a thriving company, revenue is up, the team is strong. Everything looks great on paper, but inside they feel stuck. They're drained, they're spiritually disconnected. I've seen this far too many times than I want to admit, but we see this as a common occurrence even among leaders who. Devote themselves in word and deed. It seems to be to Christ, to his church. Uh, they're good moral people and yet they're so disconnected from what God would have for them. Then an opportunity comes maybe to lead in ministry, to mentor others or to step back and focus on something eternal. But it would mean giving up some control, letting go of a position, taking a financial hit. Just like the rich young ruler, they're faced with a hard truth. Following Jesus isn't about fitting him into our plans, it's about letting go of our grip on the one thing we trust the most. One of the most powerful parts of this encounter is the phrase Jesus loved him. It's right there at the very beginning. Love doesn't always sound like affirmation. Sometimes love sounds like challenge. Real love tells us the truth, even when it hurts. Jesus wasn't being harsh, he was just being honest. He saw potential in the young man. He saw leadership, but he also saw. The barrier. Every leader has to face their own version of this. What is your barrier? What's the one thing that's hard to release? That thing that you secretly rely on more than God could be money or the need to be liked. It could be your schedule, your comfort, or your reputation, whatever it is. Jesus invites us to release it, not to punish us because of it, but to free us. The day take time to reflect. What's one thing that you know God has been nudging you to let go of? What's the thing that if you released it could open up your leadership, your influence, and your spiritual growth? Make a list and be honest with yourself. Don't justify it. Just name it. Then ask, what would it look like to lay this down? Jesus' invitation is always the same. Follow me. Not with conditions. Not halfway, not after you get something else done, but fully. And when we follow fully, we discover a kind of leadership that isn't driven by what we hold, but by who we're held by. So identify one area of your life or leadership where you've been resistant to let go. And pray about it, write it down. You know, sometimes we have to let some good things go in order to see greater things happen. So take one small action to release control. Walk in the direction that God would have you do follow him, whether that's a conversation, a decision, or just a prayer of surrender to what he has for you. If this devotional brought something to light in your heart today, share it with another leader. And remember, the greatest leaders aren't the ones who hold on tight. They're the ones who let go. When Jesus says to them, follow me. Thank you for joining me on Lead in 10. Until next time, let's lead. Surrender to Christ. Let's live free. Free in him and follow where he would have us to go with courage. I'll see you next time.