So, I have these things I like to call thoughts. They are just random writings that I write in my journal or type up when I’m feeling particularly inspired. And what do you know, something I wrote a year and a half ago just came back to hit me hard. This last week, I’ve felt challenged to come home from training camp and really start to question, what needs to die in me? I’ve got a whole list of things to tackle in the next 6 weeks. I want to live fully for Christ and with that comes a simple (but a little painful) task:MAKE ROOM
In effort to make room in my heart for God to work. I’ve started asking what currently has a hold on my heart. One thing that I’ve recognized in my life, which I’m sure is true for a lot of people here in America, is my stuff. I have a lot of things, and to some degree or another they all have a hold of my heart. This week, I’ve sold or given away most of my belongings, a lot of them I really enjoy! But I feel that I need to let go simply for the sake of making as much room as possible for God to work this next year. I can always come back and get more things, but to be able to say I sold it all? To be content with little?
Now I have two boxes and a backpack full of world race clothes and gear. One box has some memories and a couple pairs of clothes, the other is packed full of books. I get the joy of living with 5 t-shirts and 2 pairs of pants for the next 6 weeks, well really the next 12 months! (at least)
This work started in my heart a year or so ago and has been continually moving me to this point and this next journey on the World Race. I want to share with you my “thoughts” that I wrote a year and a half ago and hopefully it helps you overcome the draw to empty things as well.
What do you need to sell? Where can you make room?
Consumed
“Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” – Luke 12:15
Do we know our limits? Or are we on a dangerous path to destruction. More and more we exhaust the world, more and more we take, more and more we innovate, more and more we strive—for more. Technology advances at an ever-faster pace. Our productivity increases, efficiency skyrockets, and capabilities expand. Pick up your phone and instantly you have access to hundreds of people and friends. Talk, talk, talk. See, see, and see. Constantly our lives are filled with—things. Empty things. The world is being connected. Technology is taking us to new levels. Cars are smart, phones are smart, and everything is designed with one intent: efficiency. To do more. Check the weather. Everything has swayed towards technology, more music, more events, bigger buildings, more study, catch phrases, service projects, vacations, parties, work, repeat. Everything is rapid. Everything is never-ending. Where is the rest?
All the time, non-stop. The next new thing. Phone, watch, book, app, videogames, sports. More. TV shows, streaming, 20 movies to watch, fashion, every sports team, out to eat, cash? job, not enough, work more. Snapchat, Tweet, Facebook, Google, Insta, Post, send a text to friends, friends? not enough, add more, meet new people, vacation, spring break, party, popular? How do we manage? How do we function? Do we even know who we are?
Or are we being consumed by a world pushing ever faster towards its own demise. Gas is running out, water is running out, resources are running out. But we must have more. Is the world becoming more vibrant? Deeper? Or shallower? Adventure is replaced by video games. Reading replaced by browsing Facebook. Quality time with family and friends replaced by quality snaps. Bored? fill my time with new smartphone game. Hours gone. There is a constant drive for more. Technology isn’t bad… Is that justification? Here’s the question: are you content?
Really? Content. Or do you always need more?
If someone took your phone away, if you were asked to sit in silence for one hour or talk to the person next to you in a bus station…
Uneasy? Don’t know what to do? Do we tick like time bombs? It reflects how broken we have become. No peace, but instead an uneasiness when we aren’t doing something, when we aren’t pushing for more. We are being consumed. Spread thin by our own thirst for more adventure, more technology, more life. And yet never really having any at all! Never really going on that adventure, too busy taking pictures, to live it out. To busy looking down to look around. Trying to cram more and more experiences into our lives and to make sure we see everyone else’s experience as well.
Are you thirsty?
Pour a glass of water—in our desperation we pour more, more, MORE! Faster! If only we could jam enough water into the glass, then we would be able to drink and be satisfied! But the glass has a hole, instead of a deep well, thinly spread. Do you have enough? Or are you thirsty?
Is the best tomorrow? Is more just around the corner? Is the solution tomorrow?
Back to the beginning. Wait, no, middle. We long for adventure, yet society tells us to shape up, calm down, “nice guy”, sophisticated, modern. Kill the adventurous spirit, no risk, no danger. Technology helps us to be safer, more comfortable, makes life easier. I can smile… ??
because I have Facebook? GPS? New watch? New car? Lots of Friends? Health tracker will fix it. Stressed–drugs. Tired–coffee. Am I passionate? Calendar Notification. Got to go.
Do we know our limits? Or are we on a dangerous path to destruction. We are not all powerful, cannot know it all, cannot do it all, cannot see it all, yet we try. Why? What do we have to prove, what gap are we trying to fill? Education is streamlined, learning is timed, not discovered. I must go to college. Debt. All to strap us to the plow. Make a career, go to work. I can’t leave my job, couldn’t afford my things—empty things. Are we slaves?
Or can we walk away? Can you walk away? Can I walk away?
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” -1 Timothy 6:6-7
Live Fully. Live Content.
With Faith, Hope, and Love
Nathan
Want to be a part of my journey and support my trip? You can donate right here on my blog at the top of the page ??
605-951-2751
