Our days lately have been filled with STUFF.
packing STUFF
selling STUFF
Basically, we're currently in the business of STUFF management.
It's times like this in our life, when God helps John and I see a little clearer - the vision He has for our family, and for His church (that's everyone in the world who loves Him and calls Him their Savior and Lord!)
We get out another box, go to another corner of the house and decide...do we really NEED this? I can't tell you how many things we are coming across that we haven't touched in the 3 years we've moved here. Often times, the answer is...NO. We don't need this, or that, or the other thing! It's amazing how having more children makes me want to simplify more :) The more little lives the Lord has blessed us with, the stronger our desire to own less THINGS. Seriously. It may really be a space issue. We just don't have room for it all, but however God is doing it, He is loosening our grasp on our earthly possessions and fixing our gaze on what really matters most.
His life in us, changing the lives of those we meet. Period.
Doesn't it feel good to simplify our purpose in life?
I think that's what Jesus was trying to help us with when he said,
"Seek first MY kingdom, and all the rest will be added to you."
When we put him first, He really does give us what we need. NEED. I like that.
So lately, when we come across one of those THINGS that we decide we don't need, we usually try and sell it. Craigslist has been wonderful :) God has provided us enough money to cover our trip back to California, and the people who've purchased our stuff have gotten great deals on quality stuff :) (Can you tell I'm getting good at this?) In our "letting go," God has provided exactly what we've needed, to get to where He's sending us next. Isn't that amazing!
There are times, however, when we've sensed the Lord telling us to give what we have away. It's pretty amazing when this happens. My heart usually quickens a bit and a joy fills my spirit in the great anticipation of God meeting someone else's need. I need to be VERY clear on this one. My carnal nature tells me I should try and get every penny possible for the stuff I have. That somehow, it's all about the money. The more money I make, the more successful I am.
This is the world's way.
Not God's way.
He is not bound by money.
He doesn't need money to make something amazing happen or to meet the needs of those He loves.
He is GOD.
He owns the heavens and knows the stars by name. How much do you think God would get if He sold one of His stars on craigslist? Um...A LOT! But He doesn't need to because He is Lord over all.
What I think is incredible, is that even though He could do it anyway He wanted...
He chooses to work through US!
What an honor and JOY to be used as an instrument of the Most High God to bless a brother or sister in Christ. It's not because of US that people are blessed...it's HIS work in us. We are merely a conduit. He doesn't NEED us, but He chooses to use us because He knows we'll be blessed as we give. We are changed. As our grip loosens on things of this world, our grasp more tightly holds the One who gives us life, peace and hope here now on earth and for eternity!
That's why I get so excited when He speaks to us in this way regarding fulfilling a need someone has with something He's given to us...We get to bear witness to His work, we are being changed by His Spirit to chose His value system over the world's, and really does fill me with JOY!
We've been the recipient of countless blessings since we've moved to IL. Blessings we never could've orchestrated by our own effort...
a house
a car that fits our family
a church that loves Him and us
friends that have been His hands and feet to us
cochlear implants for Cole
therapists and teachers who love him
a preschool for Ryder
two precious daughters
and the list goes on, and on, and on....
It's SO good to trust in Jesus!
Yesterday morning, I trembled, cried and prayed prayers of thanksgiving and worship to the Lord as John drove away from our house in our "white car" (as the kids call it). It's been such a gift to me over the years since I first bought it from my parents at the age of 17.
It has seen me through high school, college, my first 5 years as a mother with one, two and three car seats! God provided for me a car that met my every need and beyond. It was time to be a blessing to someone else. So yesterday John drove to our church parking lot to give it to a family who needed it more than we did. God answered the prayers of our French-African pastor at church who a week before we contacted him, had been praying over the parking lot for God to provide for the transportation needs of the many families in his church who had come from Africa without a car.
That's the same time John felt God speak to him...
"I want you to give it away."
Again, I need to be very clear...
WE wanted to sell it.
GOD told us to give it.
May HE get ALL the HONOR and GLORY for the provision he works out for those who love and trust in His name!!!
It is because of His work in us that we give.
He calls us to go,
He makes all the necessary provisions for that journey,
He calls us to give,
He provides for others through our giving...
It's a beautiful cycle of a life lived with Jesus.
So many of the blessings we have received have come through the generosity of others who have heard God say to them...GIVE.
Our family
Our friends
They love Jesus and give because Christ first loved them!
We DELIGHT in the opportunity to be a part of the body of Christ and to be used by Him in the lives of others FOR HIS GLORY!!!
There was a rich, young ruler who the Bible says Jesus asked to sell all his possessions to follow him. He ended up walking away sad. He couldn't do it. The thought of giving up his great wealth was too great a sacrifice for him. Even for the reward of eternal life. Do you see what a trap we can get in as the world tells us we'll be happier with MORE and MORE stuff? By choosing the world's way, you are turning your back on God's way. Jesus made it very clear that we have to choose who we will serve. We can't serve two masters. Does this mean choosing a life with Jesus means you have to give your car away? Maybe...but only if He asks :) Jesus says there can't be ANYTHING we wouldn't give up if He asked us to. We can't love anyTHING or anyONE more than Him. It really is a very loving command. He knows if we are more closely aligned with Him than any other earthly possession or relationship, we will hear from Him more clearly and more certainly go in the way He's marked out for us, which leads to greater blessing than you could ever imagine. It's true for your life on earth, and after when you get to spend eternity with Him. It's an amazing plan if you ask me. I've been walking with Jesus for 26 years now and I have to say...I HIGHLY recommend it! He hasn't failed me yet, and praise God...He promises He never will. :)
Oh, Lord...make this true of us! We want you MORE than any of the securities the world tells us we can have in possessions and money. All of that can be gone in an instant, where moth and rust destroy but in placing our faith and hope and life in YOU we gain the gift of eternal life!!! May we live here on earth as those who have greater stake in your eternal blessings that can NEVER be taken from us! Make us cheerful givers, because you gave us the ultimate example in first giving your LIFE for us!
