Moving Forward

A Material Soapbox

What have I been up to you ask? Well besides being funny... Christmas was awesome, really fun to see everyone as always. Michelle and Aaron were here and I got to see them a ton which was great. My birthday was good times... I was with my fam early in the day and then out with friends in the evening. New Years was pretty cool, but I was such a sicky I couldn't even taste the amazing food very well. I got to see Alex's baby and spend time there. All in all, life's been pretty nice lately. Minus work, but I can't even write much about that because I'm in a good mood and it'll change real fast if I talk about work.
I was asked by Ben Thomas (and I realize some of you don't know who this is... well he's awesome. enough said) and Pastor Scott to talk to the congregation at WSUMC about my ministry, about my time at WS, and about how I came to know the Lord. It was quite the experience and I loved being there and spending time at my "home" church and just feeling like I meant something to someone, you know? It's weird that Wheatland isn't my home church anymore, but it's ok too. That was the point kinda... that I'm out, away from WS, in ministry. So anyways I thought it was kinda cool. I'd love to tell you about it sometime, but this isn't the place.
Moving on... I'm been thinking about "things" lately. Not like "things", but "things"... you know? No? Well I mean material things. Not like I've been pondering the universe or anything like that. But for real yo, I've been thinking about how much I have... and to some people it's nothing.
To some I have so little because I don't have a brand new car, or a big diamond, or my own house, or any money saved up, or a big-screen TV, or this or that. But to some I have so much because I have a car that runs well, I have my own place (though it's not mine), I have a nice computer, an iPod, about 200 dvds, a Taylor guitar... the list could go on. Well here's my thinking right now. Take it. Take it all. I don't need it, any of it. These are not the things that define me or make me who I am. These are not the things I put my hope in. Do I enjoy them? Yup. Even love them sometimes? Absolutely. And therein lies the problem. Sometimes these things, these objects become the subject of conversations and such. And sometimes I actually have the audacity to say that I need more than I already have. It's kinda funny right? I can't believe it myself sometimes.
I'm blessed by the things I have and I usually do my best to use them for the glory of God, but in the last month I found myself wanting things that I didn't need. That no one NEEDS. That others have.
When I first got my guitar I was really leery on who I would let even touch the thing. I think there were like 4 people allowed to touch it other than me. Now, for the most part everyone interested has played him, and as of late the only time I seem to be able to pick him up is when I'm using him in worship of the Lord.
I'm not really sure what the point of this was other than to remind myself that I have things I don't need. I have a lot more than lots of people. So when I start to want what other people have, but I don't need... I can be reminded of that.
Sidebar, this probably sounds all "charismatic-like" (which is just fine), but it's not as though I'm going to smash my guitar just because I don't need it. Don't get me wrong... I like nice things. I think I just need to be a better steward of my money. And also not care so much about the nice things the people around have. Pride comes before a fall.
ps I've been listening to the Message (bible translation by Eugene Peterson) in my car on my drive to work and it's great! I highly recommend not only the translation, but listening to the bible while driving.
Here's something a friend had me read last night in the Message version.
"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves." Matthew 5:43-44
Respond with the energies of prayer...

posted by Moving Forward @ 11:25 PM