We are a little over two months into the Race. I am sad that it has taken me two months to learn what it means “live less” (opposite of Taco Bell’s “Live Mas”) I am still learning what it means as I write this.
We live in a society that is addicted to pleasure, comfort, connivence, and instant satisfaction/gratification. We don’t know what it means to have true patiences. We think that waiting the 5 seconds for the picture to load on Instagram is true patience. We get get angry when our McDonalds food order takes longer than 5 minuets. (it should be faster because it’s “fast food” right?)
When I first signed up for the trip I thought that was enough sacrifice. I thought “I only get to bring a pack full of clothes, and I’m leaving my family behind.” Little did I know that I was going to be as comfortable as I am.
I have access to Wifi on a daily basis. I can walk down the street to a “Tienda” and grab a snack, maybe even an American snack. I can call or text my parents anytime I want. I can go to Antigua and buy a new shirt, pair of pants, or even a pair of shoes. I have gotten so comfortable here in Guatemala.
This weekend I started to feel convicted of how comfortable I have gotten. We came on this trip to be less. “Have I really been less?” We came on this trip to live live as the Guatemalans, Malay, and African’s. ” Am I living as a Guatemalan?” No I have been living like an American spoiled and taking for granted everything that I have in front of me.
I started a new bible study Monday morning, its brand new by “Love God Greatly” called “Names of God” the first week challenge was on “Sacrifice” I was in awe that it was that and slightly weirded out because I had voiced this to my Squad leader Anikka that I wanted to “live less.” This whole week the theme has been “Sacrifice.”
Day 1: Genesis 22:9-12
“When they arrived at the place where God has told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the Lord called him from heaven, ” Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes” Abraham replied “Here I am!” “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You know that you truly fear God. You have not truly withheld from me even your son, your only son.”
I know that I couldn’t sacrifice my son, Abraham did something so incredible.
Day 2: Philippians 4:10-20
“Not that I was ever in need, of for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.” -Philippians 4:11
I want to learn what it means being content with less. I want to be content with learning what the Lord wants for my life and being content with that.
Day 3: Ephesians 3:14-21
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. ( Ephesians 3:20-21)
With God we can accomplish living with less. We can accomplish infinitely more than you can ever imagine.
Day 4: Mathew 6:25-34
“So do not worry about these things, saying “what will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.” Mathew 6:31-32
Why should I worry about my next meal, instead of trusting that I ate breakfast so I am probably going to eat lunch and dinner too? Why should I worry that I didn’t bring as many pairs of pants that I need, when I have more than most Guatemalans have even with my small selection?
This week I have challenged myself to start to “live less.” I haven’t scrolled through social media or used Wifi besides my “World Race duties” ( Like posting this blog.) I have not went to the tienda for snacks or bought snacks this week. I fasted and prayed yesterday that the Lord would open my heart to more sacrifice.
I don’t want the life of comfort. I’m tired of living in a culture that lives for pleasure and instant gratification. I want to feel pain in order to feel my comforter. I want to go on this trip and feel the Lord more than I have ever felt him before. I truly want to learn what it means to “live less.”
My wonderful mentor Hope sent me a old talk with notes on this subject. This is a quote she used.
“Christ did not die to make this life easy for us… He died to remove every obstacle to our everlasting joy in making much of him. And he calls us to follow him in his sufferings because this life of joyful suffering for Jesus’ sake shows that he is more valuable than all the earthly rewards that the world lives for.
If you follow Jesus only because he makes life easy now, it will look to the world as though you really love what they love, and Jesus just happens to provide it for you.
But if you suffer with Jesus in the pathway of love because he is your supreme treasure, then it will be apparent to the world that your heart is set on a different fortune than theirs. This is why Jesus demands that we deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow him.” – John Piper
This doesn’t just begin with me. It begins with you also. You can choose what to also live less comfortable in the United States. You can choose to “live less.” I challenge you to pray that the Lord would reveal your “Isaac” and show you what is to sacrifice.
With Love and peace,
Lexi
