I have a confession. I'm a stuff-aholic. I love stuff -- preferably stuff that comes with blinking lights, and shiny metal bits. I love shopping for stuff, reading reviews on stuff, and surfing blogs that will introduce me to new stuff I didn't even know I needed.
Here's the rub -- I'm pretty sure God isn't into stuff.
"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ."
Based on that, I'm also pretty sure Jesus isn't into stuff. Though I like to think he would have had an iPod, I don't think he would have been more interested in gadgets than God. Nothing in this world was more valuable to him than his relationship with the Father. He understood that substituting stuff for God was unthinkable -- not because stuff is bad, just pathetic compared to the glory of God.
And yet, though God offers me this spiritual Filet Mignon, I'm content to chew on my Tijuana Mama pickled sausage, scouring the internet for meaning through stuff. Arggh. Why? I don't know. Habit? Fear? If I'm honest, I think it's because I think that stuff IS as good as a deep relationship with God. I'm satisfied with where I am, thanks. To lead a different life would require change and the change train isn't a ride I'm eager to hop on.
So far.
Recently I have found myself intensely restless. I've been, I don't know, dissatisfied with a life trajectory that I had convinced myself was supposed to be satisfying.
Slowly I am realizing that there is this life that God wants to give me that is so much bigger and better than what I've been living. But to take hold of that life I'm going to have to loosen the death grip I have on the world, its stuff, and the comfort of security.
That scares me and also thrills me.
I don't totally get it yet either. If you happen to stop by our house around bed time tonight you're likely to find me standing at the computer with a toothbrush stuck in my mouth searching for one last bit of gadget news before I go to bed. But I can tell you this: the gadgets, all the stuff I lean on to give meaning to my life, they ain't workin' like they used to. I'm no longer satisfied with sleepwalking through life.
"Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
2 comments:
Sarah, I just noticed on your sidebar that you recently read Shepherding a Child's Heart. I'm reading it right now. What did you think of it?
Man sure am glad I don't have that problem. Just kidding, God just keeps slapping me in the face with the stuff thing. I thought I was doing good by selling some of my old stuff on Ebay but, I realized it was only to fund new stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Chad
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