One Thing Thou Lackest

"Our obsessions are as varied as our possessions. They may consist of a favored doctrinal emphasis, a favored Church program, or even a 'trademark' leadership style. Having pride in these things, we sometimes polish them carefully and stand especially ready to defend them. Sometimes, if only unconsciously, we even cultivate a cheering and reinforcing constituency which, perhaps unintentionally, encourages us in our obsessions. To us, sooner or later, it will be said, 'One thing thou lackest' (Mark 10:21). It is possible to have illegitimate pride in a legitimate role or in a deserved reputation. Such pride must go, for we are servants of Him who lived His unique life as a person of 'no reputation' (Philippians 2:7). Every obsession or preoccupation must give way in total submission. Only when we try to subdue our obsessions or preoccupations do we see how powerful they have become."

- Neal A. Maxwell, Not My Will But Thine, p. 93