Over the last few months, God has motivated me personally to do a self-assessment on my priorities and everything in my life. Being that He has called me into the amazing world of military youth ministry and specifically the mission field, it has prompted me to look at what is truly necessary in my life.
In reviewing things that are in my life, I have come to understand I have too much crap. I have closets full of clothing, one large dresser full and one small nightstand full of clothes. Too much crap! I have a house full of stuff and I am never there! Dear Lord, this is too much for one single guy to have. God has opened my heart to give stuff to others who can use what I don't. I don't need 50 t-shirts, 50 pair of shoes, 50 types of dress shirts and so on. But sadly I DO. Why??? Because I was caught up in the "American Dream" of living like everyone else. I have a mortgage, a car, a lawn mower, a fertilizer spreader, an elliptical machine, a living room full of furniture, a really nice dining room set, and on and on. Why??? Living the supposed "American Dream."
It isn't enough that I own these things, I have learned that I have to maintain them too. What a joke. Now the things I own, really own me and my time. Change the oil in the car, lawn mower, mow the lawn, shovel the driveway, vacuum the carpet, paint the house, fertilize the yard, iron my dress shirts, do the laundry of all the clothing I own, and on and on. My collection of crap OWNS ME.
I've learned something. The American Dream is a gimmick. Period. If you disagree, then it hasn't hit you yet. Luckily God has blessed me to be a frugal person to financially not incur any debt other than my home loan, but I still feel straddled with this debt. What exactly are we working so hard for anyhow? To be laden with the typical mortgage, family, everything else that comes along with it to include all of the crap of collecting too? Is it worth it? Is it really something most people care to do in paying on a home loan for THIRTY YEARS? That is just insane. Over that period of time, most people will pay almost 3 TIMES the cost of their home, no matter the rate they think was such a 'good deal.'
I do believe that purchases with good choices behind them are alright. Having a home or place to live is a good thing, but it isn't a requirement to own a home. Having a car is a nice thing but it doesn't have to be the biggest or newest and nicest one around. Just needs to get you from point A to point B, right? I know people who always go out and get the best and newest of everything just to be yet again disappointed with how things ended in filling that immediate 'need.' Ever wonder why that need wasn't filled so well? Could it be you might be missing Jesus in that void?
It's also interesting to go to yard sales I think. We find all of the 'crap' people went out and wasted their hard earned money on throughout time where it goes for pennies on the dollar. Wouldn't it be easier if we spent our money on something more worthwhile, such as building up God's Kingdom? That could be in many ways and not just in the physical church setting too. Potentially support a Christ-focused local food pantry, youth ministry, church, missionary, Christian radio station......anything at all.
What I am getting at here is that the American Dream is not really the 'dream' everyone has when they get into it. We can make good choices not to follow the curve and live wholesome lives which God can be pleased. The next time you are out and are considering spending money, I ask you and I will do the same......do you really need another ______? May God bless you in your personal walk with Jesus because He continues to rock my world.
