Shattered Phones

It is human nature to want more than what we have or can afford.

I was so blessed to receive a new phone tonight. I keep playing on it, cause it's just fun and I like it.  I had shattered the glass on the face of my phone last week and couldn't upgrade yet, so a friend sold me her old phone, which was a step up from my shattered one.    Yet, my human nature cannot wait until my contract is up in December, so I can get the one she has... that is, if they have made an even better one by then.

Travis and I had a conversation about it all tonight.  How much money would our culture save if we could just wait a year for the next new item to go on sale?  But it is so hard to wait!  Don't even cast judgement on me, cause you know you do the same thing!  Maybe not with a phone, but with cars, or clothes, or computers.  

We are, by nature, impatient and greedy. 

But for those of us who have decided to follow Christ, we have been given everything we need for life and godliness.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

2 Peter 1:3

This means that we can be patient and content.

And so I chose to be happy with my new phone, even though there are newer cooler ones.  Tonight, as we pulled into our driveway, I began to count my blessings.

We just went out to eat. 

 We went to eat In our new van.  

We pulled into the driveway of our dream home.

Sure, we ate fast food and it could have been a 7 course meal.  We bought our van used, and it could've been brand new.  Our house needs upgrades and isn't in the latest subdivision.  And that is okay.

There were times our family could not afford to go out to eat.

There was a time when someone gave us a van.

There was a longing I had, living as a child in a trailer, to one day live in a brick ranch, and now I do.

Oh, how God has blessed us. Yet, none of this matters in light of eternity.

IT'S. ALL. JUST. STUFF.

...and it will not go with us when we leave.

So how are we to be content in a society that is pushing us to keep up with the Jones's?

1Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4And when Christ, who is your^a life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

Colossians 3:1-4

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about why I'm here.  I've thought a lot about God's purpose and will for my life.  I've thought a lot about His kingdom and my role in it.  And although I have so many questions and things to figure out, I am at peace with one thing I know...

This life, is not about me or what I have.

This christian life, is all about dying to what I want.  

And strangely enough, I realize I like how that feels.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

You see, when you want Him more than stuff, the stuff no longer matters as much.  

And when you realize this, you will probably be blessed with more stuff, cause then you can give it away, and tell someone else how much He cares for and loves them.