If there is a word that’s hit me harder than anything else on this journey, it would be entitlement.
My team is undoubtedly addicted to listening to podcasts…which is dangerous because it causes radical life shifting in how we approach well, everything.
In Thailand, we heard of a podcast/sermon on entitlement. Our naive little selves thought it would be “interesting” and “great”. So there we sat with popcorn (a rare delicacy on the race) our journals and pens in hand, ready to jot down whatever point this young pastor was about to drop.
Time and time again, whenever I find myself frustrated or upset about a situation I question why. As embarrassing as it is to admit, majority of the time its from my expectations of the way things “should be” instead of the way they are. And of course the frustration comes when that unmet expectation directly affects me.
Because, you know, my life is oh so important.
It never really gets easier to recognize when I am being entitled, but after getting over my bruised ego, it makes life a lot more transparent and realistic. It brings me down to reality and back to the idea of my current blessings.
I remember looking up from my journal at the faces of my team a few seconds after the pastor gave us his definition of entitlement, and again when he introduced us to his “list”. Their expressions mirroring my own, knowing this message was cutting deep.
This list contained 100 things in life the pastor felt entitled to. Everything he could think of was there, from his fiance’s smile to his personal access to God.
The moment he mentioned this list, I knew I would be making one and cringed at the thought of what my first few items would be.
See, the reality of things I really deserve in life, are minimal to what I feel entitled to.
The pastor defined entitlement as: “The belief that your privileges are actually your rights”.
Ouch. Am I right?
My teammate and I wrote out our lists and talked about it over coffee a few mornings later. So many realizations took place about the way we see the world through our individual lenses.
There isn’t much of a drive home point to this blog, except to encourage us to become aware of what we feel we deserve in this life and why we feel so. As cliche as it sounds, we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, let alone half of what we expect out of our daily schedules.
I want to encourage us to take on this fresh way of approaching life because man, does it create a perspective shift into what really matters.
This new way of thinking has humbled me time and time again and made me so aware of what God gives me everyday. Like grace, freedom, and forgiveness to mention a few.
As well as the fact that I am American, a female American to be exact.
I am so unbelievable blessed in this life, and if you are reading, so are you.
Because that means you have access either a smartphone or computer, which you probably own, meaning you can afford items apart from the basic survival necessities of life, (water, shelter, food, clothing). This sounds extreme, but I am writing this from a country where about 70% of the people have been unemployed for years in collapsing economy due to a corrupted government.
Plus the fact that you are undoubtedly connected to wifi you probably haven’t had to think twice about dying out on you. (In which case, the jealousy coming from me is REAL)
All this to say, God has extended so much and the lie we get caught up in is that we don’t have nearly the amount we need or deserve. I constantly live in this circle and am fighting to break free. The struggle is real, but what I have seen these past two month weeks is that the struggle is also so very worth it.
When we are dwelling on our blessings, we are less focused on what we want, crave, think we need or deserve. We are free to step outside ourselves and see ways to help others because we are able to become more content with what we actually do have.
Simply put, entitlement robs us of joy. It convinces us we are robbed of something greater, something better.
So, a little vulnerability for you all. Here is my list in no particular order. Some are shallow, some are deep.
This list has shown me what I value in life and what I find pride in. Some are straight embarrassing, but as of now, this is where I am at. My hope is that most items on this list are temporary and if I re-write this a year from now, a lot of items will be erased.
Some of the of these things might sound silly or weird, like #42: words/speech, but remember the freedom we have to express our emotions about whatever we want, including religion and government. Most people in the world are not this free. I am simply blessed with this freedom. I do not deserve it.
I challenge you to make your own and share with someone who knows you well.
And then, go buy someone on the street a meal and learn about their life. Because we all have well more than we deserve.
Blessings,
Marsh
1. God’s grace
2. forgiveness
3. wifi
4. eating healthy/organic
5. abundance of clothes
6. christian community
7. comfort/luxury (pillow/bed/mattress/couch etc.)
8. protection (house/shelter)
9. safety
10. freedom
11. education
12. adventure/ fun experiences
13. health
14. encouragement/affirmation
15. good quality coffee
16. free-time
17. rest
18. daily showers (in the U.S.)
19. choice of career
20. car/driving
21. choice of town/city to live in
22. choice of church
23. friends
24. artistic outlet/expression
25. gym membership
26. clothing style/choice
27. choice/right to vote
28. smartphone
29. who I choose to love
30. who I choose to marry
31. clean water
32. access to God (on my time)
33. vacation
34. laughter
35. relationship with family
36. choice to pursue my passions
37. naps
38. being independent
39. how I spend my money
40. who I spend my time with
41. social media
42. words/speech
43. American style toilets (in the U.S.)
44. dreams/goals
45. hygiene
46. choice in study
47. cell phone service
48. facetime
49. gifts (for bday or christmas)
50. happiness
51. success
52. The Lord’s blessings
53. Lord’s provisions
54. my stubbornness
55. running water
56. hot water (in the U.S.)
57. warm showers (in the U.S.)
58. plumbing (in the U.S.)
59. air conditioning (in the U.S.)
60. privacy
61. my habits
62. quick, polite service in stores, restaurants, cafes, etc.
63. having a say/input in conversations
64. respect from others
65. being a part of leadership because of my past experiences
66. taking time to get the best picture for memory/FB/blog/instagram
67. snapchat
68. being cranky if I want to
69. pain medication
70. health care/medical care
71. good hair days
72. job when I return home
73. personal bible
74. short ministry work days when its hot outside
75. 3 meals a day
76. podcasts
77. adopting a kid in the future
78. visiting markets
79. feeling loved
80. variety of different foods
81. my parent’s advice and wisdom
82. coffee dates/walks with mentor
83. short waiting time at businesses
84. job that pays above minimum wage
85. to always live above the poverty line
86. email
87. anything above “basic”
88. access to the ocean/beach
89. access to the mountains
90. my own schedule
91. credit card/ credit benefits
92. emotional support/encouragement from my family and friends
93. arriving when I want to for events/parties/occasions
94. good music whenever I want
95. running
96. house full of things
97. God’s mercy
98. good/clear communication from others
99. piercings/tattoos
100. dancing whenever I want
