Blessing of Less

I knew there was a sickness in my soul as my son described the excitement in the fast-growing church he attends and my response was not delight, but envy! I did not think, "Isn't it wonderful that God is blessing that congregation?" Instead, I stewed over the question for days: "Why doesn't my church grow like that?" Discontent is a silent sin that can thrive undetected in the hidden corners of our heart and from that place infects every part of our lives.

I believe that it is an epidemic in America right now. Many are totally convinced that there is someone, or someplace, or something that will make them feel complete. In my case, that kind of discontent was poisoning my ability to serve my church with joy and fulfillment. I've seen it break marriages, when a spouse became convinced that they needed someone smarter, richer, taller, thinner, more exciting... or something else that they failed to see in their husband or wife I've seen it cause people to go deeply into debt to buy things they really don't need because they think a new house, car, or an exotic vacation will finally be 'it.' I've watched discontent fester in Believers who move from church to church in the vain hope of finding a spiritual experience that will let them live on the top of the mountain.

Mindy Caliguire, head of Soul Care Ministries, suggests that we ask ourselves four questions to diagnose the sickness of discontent:
1. Do I feel overwhelmed by options?
2. Do I feel burdened by impossible demands?
3. Do I often buy more than I can afford?
4. Do I frequently desire to be more than I am? -- Leadership, Winter, 2008

We love having multiple investment strategies available to us. We like big supermarkets that let choose from 28 brands of ketchup! But there is stress that goes with having so many options from which to choose. We like the feeling of importance that comes from being busy, from filling up our days with activities. A crammed calendar says, "I am valuable. Look at how much I do!" But, when we cannot sleep because our mind continues to race when we lie down, that is a signal that we are trying to live 26 hours in a 24 hour day! Because we live in a consumer culture most of us accept, without question, that having more of everything is key to our happiness. For many, a shopping day at the mall is a great delight and MasterCard rejoices when they go there!

Believer, there is a spiritual discipline that restores sanity!
It is called, simplicity. What is this? It is the conscious choice to be a person who understands who God is calling us to be and focusing on that. It is the decision to pray to become contented with who we are, what we have, and where we are.

We stop looking at others and comparing ourselves.
We refuse to buy things we don't want to impress people we don't like.
We give away stuff we no longer use, instead of renting storage space to keep it until it molds and we are forced to throw it away.
We give thanks for what we have instead of begging God for more.
We work to understand the gift(s) of the Spirit He's given to us and to use it for His glory, right where we are, today!
We simplify our menu, unclutter our closet, and learn that saying 'no' to yet another appeal is just fine.
We refuse debt, financial and emotional, choosing to live in what we can afford, and not borrowing against tomorrow.

Here's what Jesus said. "Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:22-24, NLT) What's your vision for life? If it is a clear vision, fixed on truth, and focused around the goodness of God, you will live freely, soberly, and with contentment. If it is corrupted by materialism, sensuality, celebrity, greed, or other common American 'values,' you will descend ever deeper into the confusion of trying to fill the longing for meaning with things that can never satisfy your soul.

Say 'yes' to worship, deep and intimate worship of the Lord, our God. Learn to revel in the beauty of a bird's song, the giggle of a child, the grace He promises 'just for today.' You will, in these choices, break the power of the conspiracy of self and Satan to make you a slave to reputation, stuff, and activities. Find others who are at peace with themselves, who are refusing the lie of more.

Then, dear Believer, you will discover the blessing of less.