I was talking to my sweet 18 year old cousin, Leah, on the phone the other night, asking about all the joys of senior year (; and she was telling me about her skiing trip coming up, going to school events with her friends, playing indoor soccer… but while she was talking she stopped and said “I feel so privileged saying all this when you’ve been sleeping on the floor with rats and stuff…”
It reminded me of how guilty I felt leaving Myanmar where they don’t have bathrooms or showers or beds, and coming to this nice house with a kitchen and living room and a real bed to sleep in. I felt like I didn’t deserve all these conveniences… but the Lord quickly said to me, “how can you feel guilty for things that aren’t actually yours.” And wow is that so true. I may feel like this is MY bed for the month, and MY spot on the couch at night, and MY groceries in the fridge, but ultimately all of those things were provided to me by him, so in all reality they are more his than they are anyone else’s.
Through this trip he is constantly having to remind me of this lesson because it is hard not to feel guilty when you see people living on the streets starving. I have had to work on shifting my perspective to be focused on the fact that he blessed me with the things that I have, not so I can call them mine, but so I can share them and give them away.
I encourage you this week to refrain using the word mine. Instead, when someone asks for something of “yours” give it away willingly, knowing that your real treasure is awaiting you in heaven. It’s not easy, trust me I know, but look at your life. Look at how much God has blessed you with. Then give it up. I promise your earthly riches are nothing compared to what he has in store for you.
P.S. – Leah, don’t feel guilty about all your fun senior year things, Jesus gave them to you because he loves you and wants to bless you. He also gave them to you because he knows how good you are at sharing them. Miss you always!
