A few years ago, I sat at the kitchen table of this
wonderful Brazilian family. We talked, ate, laughed as we tried to understand
what the other one was saying. I remember thinking how content they were and
how content I was at that moment. They had a simple concrete home. No
decorations on the wall, no paint even. One pot and one pan that was filled with dents and
scratches. There was one tiny tv they rolled out as we crowded around the table
to watch the soccer game. There was more love and joy than my heart could
contain.
I have lots of stuff. I just moved and was amazed at how
little ol’ me could have acquired so many possessions. I really would like to
blame it on the fact that I live in Orange County. I live in the middle of this
bubble that is consumed with consumerism. Everywhere I look I am reminded that bigger
is better. I need more. Enough isn’t a word that is easily understood. But the
reality is, its all on me. I have allowed myself to be concerned with what I
wear, how I look, what I eat. The reality is, what I throw away on a daily
basis in food, someone is hoping it will feed their family tonight. The reality
is I am more concerned with how I look to others than how my heart looks to the
One who gave it all to me in the first place.
Getting rid of things has always been easy for me…as long as I feel
I don’t need it anymore. But its that word need I get hung up on. Even as I write this I am thinking about
things I could possibly get rid of. A few items I haven’t worn in years come to
mind. But then I think if X situation ever came up, I would need it. I don’t
want to have to buy it again. My perception of need is skewed.
Recently I have felt compelled to downsize. There is
something freeing about owning less. There is a book called 7 by Jen Hatmaker.
I haven’t read the book yet (Im toying with the idea of actually needing to buy
it or not). From what I have read and heard, she takes 7 areas of excess in her
life and 7 months and gets to work. Each month she focuses on simplifying a
different area whether it be food, possessions, waste, stress, ect. In doing so, trying to realign with the heart
of God (assuming on that part, again I haven’t read it). But that is what I
hope to get out of it. While I don’t plan on doing a seven month challenge, I
want to think through areas of my life and heart that need to be purged. Purged
is a strong word. I am reading through the Old Testament right now and it says
several times in Leviticus that if there was any sin, anywhere, they were to
purge the camp of it. I remember thinking in regards to the specific rule I was
reading, wow that is so extreme. But if you don’t, it will begin to infect everything around it and ultimately the entire camp. Purging the uncleanness, the sin is not
optional. It is vital to my survival.
I'm all for enjoying the blessing God has given us. I think
he delights in it when we do. However, I do have a problem…I Should have a
problem with enjoying the blessing He has given us when we… when I am not being
obedient to the commands to care for the widows and orphans, to those in need,
to the least of these.
Just as I need to purge my closet, I need God to purge my
heart. I moved two weeks ago. I went thru my closet as I was packing and got
rid of a bag full of clothes and other items. The other day I got rid of about
15 more articles of clothing (Im trying to do 1 a day for a month). The reality
is I have more than I need and there will always be more to get rid of. Just
when I think God has cleaned my heart, there will be more that needs to be
purged.
I hope by doing this, I can reorient myself around to what
God has called me do. I want to free up
more space (physically and mentally) to sit with Jesus. Honestly, this scares
me. I think part of the reason I fill my life is to avoid what is hiding in the
corners of my heart. I want to free up money to pay off debt and to give. To
bless because I have been blessed. I want to let go of the things of this world
I am clinging, to say Here I am, send me.
April: No
shopping for clothes. Get rid of at least 30 items of clothing.
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Content with what I have
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My identity is not shaped by what I wear
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Save money
May: No eating
out. No last minute grocery store runs when I don’t want to eat what is already
in the fridge.
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Enjoy the food God has created
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Do what I enjoy. Cooking, Baking, and Eating
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Health!
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Save Money
June: Use my
phone only for talking and texting. No facebook, instagram or pinterest on the
phone.
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Be present
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Silence/Solitude
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Listen
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People watch, read, talk
July: Haven't got that far yet...