I learned the simple phrase "Less is More" while working at a Christian camp back in 2009. I've taken that phrase with me for 5 years now and wow, has it ever taught me a few lessons! I was pondering that phrase a little farther this morning. Thinking about contentment and how often people say if I had ______, "I would be content" or "I would be happy". But I think after a few thousand years of repeated history we might get around to realizing that "just one more whatever" is about as addicting as McDonalds, and M&M's. I like to play a game called "Can't Stop". Its a ladder game where you roll the dice and keep climbing the ladder. Whoever make 3 pieces to the top first wins. You could stop a few rolls in and save your spot until the next round or keep going, hoping to make it to the top, but you have a better chance of losing it all if you "Can't Stop". It's addicting to see how far you can make it without going all the way back to the bottom. Just one more roll! Just one step closer to the top!
All food and games aside, I think that maybe contentment isn't achieving what you need and want, or reaching your goals, but giving more, getting less, condensing, learning that less is more. Contentment isn't more, it's less. Contentment is realizing that you need less. Contentment is thinking about others, serving God with your life. Did you know that all God asks for is your life and your commitment to Him. He didn't ask for your house, car, wardrobe, jewelry, boat, t.v., or any other of your possessions. He only wants you and your faithfulness to Him.
Less is More. Less furniture, clothing, and vehicles, is more money spent on God's work, more time spent on heavenly things. Less extra curricular activities, entertainment, and business trips, is more time with God, more time building up treasures in heaven, more time encouraging and witnessing to those around you.
When you go on vacation, you pack a small portion of your house. So you must not need several items to survive, because you didn't pack them. (Items that your destination doesn't have.) Going on a missions trip you pack even less, and have even less at your destination. You survived! You probably actually had a ton of fun. You were living without out 90% or more of what you own. At your funeral you don't pack anything. As every fundamental preacher likes to say... you can't take a U-haul to heaven. Thank goodness! "This World is not my home, I'm just passing through..." I don't intend to bring souvenirs home. Heaven has no need of cheap souvenirs. We will receive our golden crowns when we reach heaven. That is what we will give to God. That is what will show where we have been and what we have done.
Contentment isn't more...Contentment is less!
Sarah
All food and games aside, I think that maybe contentment isn't achieving what you need and want, or reaching your goals, but giving more, getting less, condensing, learning that less is more. Contentment isn't more, it's less. Contentment is realizing that you need less. Contentment is thinking about others, serving God with your life. Did you know that all God asks for is your life and your commitment to Him. He didn't ask for your house, car, wardrobe, jewelry, boat, t.v., or any other of your possessions. He only wants you and your faithfulness to Him.
Less is More. Less furniture, clothing, and vehicles, is more money spent on God's work, more time spent on heavenly things. Less extra curricular activities, entertainment, and business trips, is more time with God, more time building up treasures in heaven, more time encouraging and witnessing to those around you.
When you go on vacation, you pack a small portion of your house. So you must not need several items to survive, because you didn't pack them. (Items that your destination doesn't have.) Going on a missions trip you pack even less, and have even less at your destination. You survived! You probably actually had a ton of fun. You were living without out 90% or more of what you own. At your funeral you don't pack anything. As every fundamental preacher likes to say... you can't take a U-haul to heaven. Thank goodness! "This World is not my home, I'm just passing through..." I don't intend to bring souvenirs home. Heaven has no need of cheap souvenirs. We will receive our golden crowns when we reach heaven. That is what we will give to God. That is what will show where we have been and what we have done.
Contentment isn't more...Contentment is less!
Sarah
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