I should be cleaning, or preparing my house to look perfect for when some new friends come over for dinner tonight...but I'm not. Because the more I think about it, the more I don't want a "perfect" house. I would trade the "need" to have a perfect house for almost anything. Because, here's a little secret my friends...I don't actually NEED a perfect house, nor a clean one. Most of the world has neither and doesn't even think twice.
I'm learning a lot about the American Dream and a lot about the dream of living the Gospel...and how actually...they don't mesh very well. See, here's how I've learned to live...and, things that I've thought recently.
1. My house must be clean, nicely decorated, and I must have a great meal prepared along with matching china before I can invite friends over for dinner.
2. I must have 2 cars. They must be in working order, and have lots of bells and whistles:: push a button your window goes down, plug in your ipod, turn on the a/c, etc, etc, etc. And if I have one child, I should probably own a mini-van or some other large vehicle.
3. I just got birthday money...how should I spend it on myself? Maybe I should use the money along with money I make off of selling my ipod and Kindle to buy myself an ipad.
4. I have one pair of shorts that fit, and one pair of jeans. I should go buy new ones.
5. There are really cute Merrell's in my size for "super cheap." I could get some more shoes.
6. I don't want to get messy and try to serve Jesus here. I'd rather pack for a week somewhere and love on orphans than love on the children and families of Decatur county. Why? Because the orphans didn't do anything to deserve their plight. The people here should know how to live "better."
7. I really want to do well with selling Pampered Chef...then maybe my name would be on the "top sellers" list that all consultants see...and that'd be AWESOME.
8. Maybe instead of cooking tonight, I'll just have my family go out to eat. $35 isn't that much.
9. This coffee is the least expensive. And it has a fun flavor. Got to have it.
10. Church. I think I can do this thing. I can create an event where people want to come and fall in love with Jesus there. It'll be great. We'll have a great speaker, nice decorations, yummy food...and great coffee!
So, here I sit, in my sin. Thinking these things. Judging others. Putting myself on a pedestal and thinking that my glory and my power is greater than God's. Humbled...that's what I am. I'm not greater than He...and in His grace He's teaching me to invest and live in His Kingdom with His glory and purposes in mind. Here's what His upside-down Kingdom tells me in opposition to my own human-ness: (I'm not trying to claim that this is Absolute Truth...simply that in my walk to be like Christ...this is what He's teaching me)
1. Invite people into your home. Share a meal. Break bread. Talk about Me. And, don't invite people over who can pay you back. Invite the poor, the broken, the needy, the foreigner, the orphan.
2. Materials will pass away...and only He will remain. Stop trusting in a hunk of metal to take care of you and get you where you need to go. Half the places you go, you don't need to go anyway.
3. That money was given to you as a blessing. Use it to bless. Don't hoard it on yourself. It's not really yours anyway. Further MY Kingdom, not your own.
4. Stop eating the stuff you don't need, and take care of the body I gave you. Then your clothes would fit and you wouldn't feel the need to waste money on clothes you don't actually need.
5. Really, do you need 21 pairs of shoes? Your brothers and sisters around the world...they've never even owned a pair of shoes...and they are in pain because of having to walk so far to fetch water without shoes on their feet.
6. You are the worst of them all. You think you are perfect and holy, when you have so far to go. (and I am). I'm not better than any...and I shouldn't judge those that have less than I. Whether they are in Decatur County, or Russia, or Kenya, they are children of God. End of story.
7. Even if people that get that email think you are great...I will know the truth. You did it for your glory...and not for Mine.
8. $35. Actually allows a Kenyan orphan to go to school, have food, and supplies for a MONTH.
9. This coffee might be cheap...but it is costing a great deal to the farmers who are enslaved by the company that makes it. Is your flavored coffee really worth continuing to support companies who literally are enslaving thousands daily?
10. You can do nothing without My power. So, go ahead, throw yourself into this event...or pray. Ask me to show you who to invite in, who to love on, and watch as many come to know me.
American Dream? Gospel centered dream?
My dream is to live differently for Jesus. To love Him with abandon and to stop caring what this world says. This world, it's not my home. His Kingdom is all that matters, and I want my life to mimic His hopes, dreams, and goals...and for all the glory to go to Him.
What is your dream??
I'm learning a lot about the American Dream and a lot about the dream of living the Gospel...and how actually...they don't mesh very well. See, here's how I've learned to live...and, things that I've thought recently.
1. My house must be clean, nicely decorated, and I must have a great meal prepared along with matching china before I can invite friends over for dinner.
2. I must have 2 cars. They must be in working order, and have lots of bells and whistles:: push a button your window goes down, plug in your ipod, turn on the a/c, etc, etc, etc. And if I have one child, I should probably own a mini-van or some other large vehicle.
3. I just got birthday money...how should I spend it on myself? Maybe I should use the money along with money I make off of selling my ipod and Kindle to buy myself an ipad.
4. I have one pair of shorts that fit, and one pair of jeans. I should go buy new ones.
5. There are really cute Merrell's in my size for "super cheap." I could get some more shoes.
6. I don't want to get messy and try to serve Jesus here. I'd rather pack for a week somewhere and love on orphans than love on the children and families of Decatur county. Why? Because the orphans didn't do anything to deserve their plight. The people here should know how to live "better."
7. I really want to do well with selling Pampered Chef...then maybe my name would be on the "top sellers" list that all consultants see...and that'd be AWESOME.
8. Maybe instead of cooking tonight, I'll just have my family go out to eat. $35 isn't that much.
9. This coffee is the least expensive. And it has a fun flavor. Got to have it.
10. Church. I think I can do this thing. I can create an event where people want to come and fall in love with Jesus there. It'll be great. We'll have a great speaker, nice decorations, yummy food...and great coffee!
So, here I sit, in my sin. Thinking these things. Judging others. Putting myself on a pedestal and thinking that my glory and my power is greater than God's. Humbled...that's what I am. I'm not greater than He...and in His grace He's teaching me to invest and live in His Kingdom with His glory and purposes in mind. Here's what His upside-down Kingdom tells me in opposition to my own human-ness: (I'm not trying to claim that this is Absolute Truth...simply that in my walk to be like Christ...this is what He's teaching me)
1. Invite people into your home. Share a meal. Break bread. Talk about Me. And, don't invite people over who can pay you back. Invite the poor, the broken, the needy, the foreigner, the orphan.
2. Materials will pass away...and only He will remain. Stop trusting in a hunk of metal to take care of you and get you where you need to go. Half the places you go, you don't need to go anyway.
3. That money was given to you as a blessing. Use it to bless. Don't hoard it on yourself. It's not really yours anyway. Further MY Kingdom, not your own.
4. Stop eating the stuff you don't need, and take care of the body I gave you. Then your clothes would fit and you wouldn't feel the need to waste money on clothes you don't actually need.
5. Really, do you need 21 pairs of shoes? Your brothers and sisters around the world...they've never even owned a pair of shoes...and they are in pain because of having to walk so far to fetch water without shoes on their feet.
6. You are the worst of them all. You think you are perfect and holy, when you have so far to go. (and I am). I'm not better than any...and I shouldn't judge those that have less than I. Whether they are in Decatur County, or Russia, or Kenya, they are children of God. End of story.
7. Even if people that get that email think you are great...I will know the truth. You did it for your glory...and not for Mine.
8. $35. Actually allows a Kenyan orphan to go to school, have food, and supplies for a MONTH.
9. This coffee might be cheap...but it is costing a great deal to the farmers who are enslaved by the company that makes it. Is your flavored coffee really worth continuing to support companies who literally are enslaving thousands daily?
10. You can do nothing without My power. So, go ahead, throw yourself into this event...or pray. Ask me to show you who to invite in, who to love on, and watch as many come to know me.
American Dream? Gospel centered dream?
My dream is to live differently for Jesus. To love Him with abandon and to stop caring what this world says. This world, it's not my home. His Kingdom is all that matters, and I want my life to mimic His hopes, dreams, and goals...and for all the glory to go to Him.
What is your dream??
Hey sweet friend- thanks for writing this. This morning, my heart was pricked with similar thoughts- especially the along the line of #6. I was wishing I was in another country serving, and God reminded me how that was my easy, and He didn't call me to easy. He has called me to here- to now- to serve in the places that are hard and uncomfortable and unworthy in my eyes. But not in His- praying for His vision to be mine, and for my heart to be His alone. Much love!
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