(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)
It’s currently the time of year when many people decide to do a bit of spring cleaning. You may go through a closet, the garage, basement, or other areas of your home and continually ask yourself, Do I need this, or can I toss it? Maybe it can be donated?
If you’re anything like me (Pastor Justin), you’ll likely create three separate piles. One pile of stuff to keep. One pile of stuff to toss out. And one pile of stuff to donate. But the worst part of this cleaning exercise is that the stuff kept is rarely used or touched over the next year!
In spite of this annual exercise, you may see somebody who has something you don’t (a better lawnmower, chainsaw, outfit, shoes, robotic vacuum cleaner, etc.) and think, Wow, that would make my life so much better! Maybe it would be a useful item. But maybe you would be going through your annual exercise and this item will be tossed or donated.
The main point is this: In the new family of Jesus, we recognize the abundance we already have, not the things we don’t have. We live with the mindset that we can truly be content because we have everything we truly need.
READING & PRAYERS:
1 TIMOTHY 6:6-10, HEBREWS 13:5 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)
QUESTION: In what ways are you currently living in abundance? Write down at least 3-5 ways.
DIGGING DEEPER: Consider what it would look like for you to give up one of the things you listed above for the next 4-6 weeks.
Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when I think of giving up something I have in abundance, I still feel a tension when it comes to not having this thing in my life. Similarly, I find that it’s actually difficult to not look for something else to buy. Clearly, I’m trying to find peace and contentment in the stuff I have and not in You. As painful as it may be, root these desires out of my life. Continue to help me see that I need You and You alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(End with 1-2 minutes of silence.)
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