by David Brenneman
We often think we know what enough looks like. If we just had this or that, it would be enough. But then we see another this or that and say those things or think those thoughts again.
We know not what satisfaction in what we have been given looks like because we keep listening to the taunts of the desires for more.
We listen to the world rather than listening to God in this. We accumulate more than we could ever use in a lifetime or accumulate in order to relive the past. In the moment we don't think of the path that the Spirit would have us on instead.
In the United States alone there's over 23 million individual storage units. 2.9 million sheds are built annually. Either for first time homes or to replace degrading old ones or to add to current sheds on properties.
We quite often refuse to accept that our economic culture thrives on the backs of people who cannot afford what they have bought.
The mental chains we bind ourselves up with! The bondage we put ourselves under!
Then when we think we've arrived, we don't consider how to a simpler life for a time. We entertain thoughts of wondering how did it get to be like this?
Temptations are all around us. Perseverance is not. Standing firm in the Lord has to be a choice, the first choice, of the day.
We cannot be so focused on these kinds of things that we neglect being the help we are to be towards others. God blessed us not for us to spend it on ourselves but for His work in the lives of people.
This world is still under the influences of Satan's schemes. While the Lord has put limits on many of his activities he is still permitted to do quite a bit.
I was thinking of things that people put before their walk with Jesus on Sunday. Many people complain about not having the time to set aside for time in God's Word.
Yet millions of people, Believer's and the unbelieving alike just spent over 8 uninterrupted hours glued to one or more television screens to watch over 10 football games.
All the while fully holding onto that lie that they don't have the time to spend with Jesus.
Jesus is more than enough if we would just get out head out of the world.
Is having an extra vehicle worth it when the Spirit has shown you people in need?
Is having anything special, even extra or elaborate vacations, more important than the work of God through you to others He’s put in your life?
Is your hobby, the 'loves' of your life the love of this, the love of that, robbing you of quality time with He who gave His life for you?
We also live in a disposable society. Everything we but has a plan for obsolescence built into it so that you WILL have to buy another before you know it. It's grown to include people. We toss relationships aside because of any excuse that sticks.
But for the Believer...mind telling me how you will grow in Christ as you're supposed to with a complete disregard for what matters to your Father in Heaven? An yes a life spent pursuing things or ideas rather than what the Spirit teaches is to disregard whatever is right, true and holy.
What did Jesus tell the rich official who wanted to know what he lacked in order to have eternal life? Sell and give, and come follow Me.
By no means do I believe that I am making enough progress in these areas myself. But progress is being made. The more time I spend with Jesus, the more time I spend in the Word of God, the more my desires are changing.
Coming to Christ is to begin a transformed life, not a conformed life.
Satan's going to entice people to conform in order to get out of the storms of life. That's a lie because Jesus said that all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus are going to suffer persecutions. We need what we are to go through in order to become more like Jesus.
Turning from the world's solutions to THE solution is the only answer.
Maybe your next steps are to downsize. To indeed sell and give to the poor, those whom you know are in need. Maybe your next steps are to either shut off or get rid of your television. Dump the subscription to Netflix, Hulu, or sports channels. Maybe yours is to take and give what you're accumulating to those in need or even give it to the Church.
Is Jesus first place in your heart?
Or is He a number? What you prioritize in life says which He is.
Jesus is to be our everything.
Fulfilling our purpose in Christ is to be our highest priority. Not fulfilling what our eyes and appetite want.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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