I woke up this morning in Johannesburg, South Africa and did a devotion in the garden out of ‘My Daily Bread’ devotional book. The topic of today (November 1, my brother Davids Birthday, the day after Halloween, the beginning of a new adventure, in a new country) is about possessions.
Ecclesiastes 5:15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart.
I thought this was extremely appropriate for my experience on the world race, but even more so, going into Africa.
Vs. 10 says “Those who love money never have enough; those who love wealth are never satisfied with their inome. This too, is meaningless.”
It was easy enough for me to say that I didn’t care about “things” back in the US, but “things” have changed now that I’m on the World Race.
It wasnt until I was stripped down from every possession besides a backpack filled with clothes to last a year that I realize how much I took advantage of even small possessions at home, like a hair straightener and blow dryer.
At home, I would wash every article of clothing after every use, even if I only wore it for a few hours. Now that I dont have access to a washing machine, and have to hand-wash everything, it gives clean clothes a whole new meaning and sense of appreciation.
Back to possessions; I have a bag of clothes, a laptop, an ipod, and a camera. Africa is not always a safe place. Any of these items could be stolen, broken, or taken away from me at any given time. Would I be upset if this happened to me? Yes, naturally I would be a bit irritated, but the difference between my mindset now, and the mindset I had 5 months ago is that I now realize how much I don’t need these things. Half of the things I posess are far from necessities. God provides us with exactly what we need.
I don’t need hair products, new clothes, and possessions to feel beautiful in my own skin. Naked we come, naked we go.
However, it’s not just possessions that we tend to idolize, but people as well. People can also be taken away from us at any time. Relationships can be shattered at any time, but our God who gives also takes away. As long as our minds remain focused on Him, it is then that we will find comfort, knowing that he is all we need.
Prayer requests for Africa: That God will keep me safe, and protect my body with a supernatural insect repellent, containing an infinitely powerful percentage of deet. Or that he will just remove the entire malaria-infested mosquito population from planet earth all together.
If you feel called to support this mission, any donations are a HUGE help! I only have 1,600 left to raise! Thanks again to those who have supported me already 🙂
P.S. I just got to my ministry place after an 84 hour bus ride. Slept on a bus 3 nights in a row. If Gods purpose wasn’t to teach me patience, then I don’t know what heck else it could possibly be. The place we are staying is beautiful, and very close to Lake Malawi. Google it 🙂
