If someone asked you what are 5 more things you would like to have in your life, what would you say? Maybe you could would come up with some type of Christmas wish list of material things you would like, or maybe it would include more intangible things like peace, love, time, or faith? Anytime someone asks you what we want, we think we know, but sometimes are just guessing at what we need, or would make us happy. Ask any Average Joe what he needs more of in life, and most of the time, he will probably say ‘more money,’ or something along those lines like ‘a great paying job that I don’t have to work at very hard.’ Somehow, we think that by winning the lottery or being able to buy all the things we think we want, we will have it made, when in fact, it is often not at all what we need. The things we need most in life are often those intangible things, like faith, hope, and love, or a family that all gets along, but they are also some of the most elusive, and difficult to hold on to when we find them. What was it you want more of again?
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matthew 16:26
What if that same person were to ask you to give away 5 things that you have, what would they be? I’m sure you could scrounge around and find some worthless things you would otherwise throw away, but what do you really need to get rid of in your life? If you are like me, it would probably be some of those intangible things as well like worry, stress, and needless distractions that take away your time. Are there ways to help eliminate these things from your life? Often they are because of unhealthy habits we have more than the things we have. We may be irritable and quick to anger when a challenge comes our way, or someone offends us in some way. We may have addictions that keep roping us into unhealthy ways of dealing with stress and other demands. We may not manage the money and resources we have very well and don’t have much left to give toward God or others. But there is hope, because others have overcome these and more challenging things in life to find what they truly need. Maybe a better question would be, if you had to give away everything except 5 things, what would you keep?
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
In our affluent world, it is easy to get caught up in chasing the rainbow of one thing after another that we think will make us happy, when in fact we are doing ourselves a disservice. What we think we need and what we truly need are often 2 different things. It is always easier to go after those things that are easy and within our reach and in our control, instead of putting them off for something better. When we put Christ first in our lives, he often shows us and leads us to what we need instead of what we do not need. He changes our hearts and gives us a new spirit that is no longer full of greed, anger, lust, and other selfishness. In Christ there is peace, love, and hope, and many many more joys than what this world has to offer. May you find what you truly need when you have Christ in your life!
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:24-26
Yours in Christ,
Clark
