I so love that God continues to show His sense of humor in my life! (ok, a little sarcasm may have been included in the previous statement) Maybe I should explain...
I've been participating in a Bible Study based on Jen Hatmaker's book, 7 An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. The title says it all! We have been unpacking how often the excess in our lives takes away from our primary focus which should be God and not "stuff". As if that wasn't enough...
Back in February, our pastor started a sermon series titled Enough. (I highly suggest that you watch/listen to all of this series because it is guaranteed to hit home with everyone in one way or another. BBC Enough Sermon Series - Ryan Rush, Pastor )-- Is it just me or do you see the Lord perfectly laying out a "theme" of focus here???
Anywho... the 3 action steps that we were challenged with during one of those sermons have been on my mind constantly since they were spoken and since the 7 study was already spinning around in there, my brain has been all a flutter.
1.) See the need.
2.) Simplify your life. -- De-accumulate
3.) Solve a problem.
Sure, this sounds easy, but if you are like me, over the years I've accumulated a LOT of "stuff" and I kinda enjoy that "stuff" or I wouldn't have accumulated it in the first place. Due to a life change that I am in the middle of though, I've had to really sit down with said "stuff" and reevaluate my version of things that I "need" vs. those that I just "want" and decide what is truly enough, and what is more than enough.
1.) See the need has truly been put to the test. What do I really need to live and set up home with and what can I seriously live without?
2.) Simplify your life. I've had to remind myself of the verse - 1 Timothy 6:17 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. - OUCH! Does that step on your toes as much as it does mine?? God will certainly provide me with all that I truly need -- so it is time to "de-stuff" substantially.
3.) Solve a problem. hmmm - of course my initial response was, "Isn't that what I've been doing in steps #1 and #2?!?!?" Thankfully, Pastor Ryan helped out ahead of time with this one idea. He asked how many pounds of "stuff" could we give away or sell and give the proceeds to missions. Of course there are many, many options of what could be done with your excess "stuff."
So, have I gotten rid of all my "stuff" and will I be living a totally minimalist life? No, I still have some fun "stuff" left, but this whole experience has really given me a different perspective on wants and needs and how little we can truly be o.k. with. Best of all, every time I get the moments of self pity of the Enormous Sacrifice I am making and all of the "stuff" I can't take with me, I remind myself of the Ultimate Sacrifice God made for me and the "stuff" stops seeming like such a big deal.
I'd love to hear from you if you decided that the Enough in your life may actually be too much and how you have or will de-accumulate the "stuff" in your life!!
As for me, back to sorting, packing and the de-accumulation process! Prayers deeply appreciated!!!
