So if you’re like me…you like comfort. You like being “in your element,” or whatever that means to you. For some, that’s your hometown, your house, school, workplace, or with your family. For others, it’s when participating in a particular hobby or interest. For some, it’s while on the go, while others find peace when at rest. But when it comes down to it…we all like to be COMFORTABLE.
Well, the steps toward The World Race require preparations to lay down your comforts. For me? That’s the American lifestyle. I eat what I want, I buy what I want, I participate in what I want. I go to concerts with my friends, and can go to the movies whenever I please. I’m forever attached to my iPhone, and am sometimes a slave to social media. (Hey, at least I can admit the problem, right?) But let’s be honest, I’ve never gone without. I’ve never had extreme need. My life has been one of excessive COMFORT.
Well today…something changed.
It was subtle, and to some might seem insignificant. But hang with me.
I was on Facebook this morning…(duh)…and an advertisement for super cute, state-specific outline necklaces popped up on my feed. This immediately caught my eye because as most of my friends know, I am insanely proud of being from Texas, ehem…God’s country. 😉
The necklace was only $12! So cheap and SO CUTE! My first instinct was to click on the link. I’m an impulsive person, and can flippantly throw $12 at just about anything. I’m telling you, I’m an advertiser’s DREAM consumer. And as soon as I clicked on the link, I was immediately overwhelmed with deep conviction from the Holy Spirit.
Let’s get real here for a second.
I have now entered into a period of support raising for an intensive discipleship program and missions organization, seeking to serve and love the “least of these” who have an immense, deep need for the love of Jesus. I am in a season that requires deep reliance on Jesus. I am in a humbling season. Recognizing and acknowledging that I must decrease so He must increase. And that I am completely incapable of achieving anything worthy in this world without the power of Christ that lives inside of me.
So this stupid necklace…
God used a stupid necklace to remind me that $12 isn’t just $12. It’s a gift from Him. And this isn’t to say that paying $12 for a necklace is inherently a bad or immoral choice. It’s not! God gave people artistic abilities for a reason, so they could be enjoyed by others! And that’s a beautiful thing! But it comes down to the heart.
Ouch.
My heart was in a place of “I want so therefore I need.”
And in that moment, there was a subtle, yet monumental shift.
Rather than “wanting therefore needing” a material possession, I looked at more meaningful or useful ways my $12 could be spent. I could bless a random team member of mine with a $12 donation. I could buy a homeless person dinner. I could take my little sister out to a movie. I could do so many more things with that $12.
So my challenging question to you is this:
“How did YOU spend your last $12?”
