{"id":228046,"date":"2023-12-07T14:29:32","date_gmt":"2023-12-07T19:29:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/liveoriginal.com\/?p=228046"},"modified":"2024-08-08T11:01:22","modified_gmt":"2024-08-08T15:01:22","slug":"back-to-the-basics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/liveoriginal.com\/back-to-the-basics\/","title":{"rendered":"Back to the Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cI have learned to hold all things loosely, so God will not have to pry them out of my hands.<\/em>\u201d<\/em> – Corrie Ten Boom<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Materialism. Something I would argue to be one of my biggest sin struggles. What is it about this sin in particular that takes my eyes off Jesus so easily? I\u2019ve been thinking a lot lately about the root of this struggle and I think<\/i> I\u2019ve come to somewhat of a conclusion. We live in a world where everyone has material things which is normal, of course. I’ve got plenty of my own. But where my struggle comes in is when I begin feeling like I need to play catch-up with everyone else. “Wait that looks SO cute on her, I want that!” “Oh, this is what’s trending, I’ve got to get it!” “If I can just get this one thing, I’ll be satisfied!”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

And in today\u2019s society, when so many people are fixated on the same worldly things, it\u2019s easy to feel like whatever we\u2019re doing is okay, good or bad. Like we\u2019re safe to continue doing what we\u2019re doing because other people around us claim to be believers and are doing the same things. But the danger in this is that when it turns into a chain reaction and everyone<\/i> starts feeling like it’s all “okay”, there\u2019s no-one around to correct with Truth. And steadily, sin (of any kind) creeps in and becomes normalized. Now, more than ever, is the time for us to point back to Scripture in every decision we make and truly ask ourselves the clich\u00e9 but insightful question, \u201cwhat would Jesus do?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with owning things<\/i>. But when our main focus shifts from what satisfies Jesus to what satisfies us, our lives begin to reflect self-indulging culture, and our idea of our purpose on Earth gets skewed.<\/p>\n

I often think about this scenario: What if there was no-one else on Earth except me and God? If there was no-one to impress or compete with. If there were no distractions from my sole purpose in life: glorifying Him. While I do know God intended for us to be in community and there is no likelihood for this scenario to ever occur, I find myself with the desire to live with this mentality. Pure joy. Obedient to whatever He asks of me. Not worrying about whatever \u201ccool\u201d thing the person next to me is doing or chasing after. No comparison and no insecurities. No distractions. And I have this urge to carry that joy, love, peace, patience, all the fruits to everyone around me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When I think about this scenario, I picture a specific place in my mind. It\u2019s the place I\u2019ve gone for years to just be with God. Something about this place brings about feelings of peace and serenity. When I\u2019m there, it feels as if God is holding my hand and walking alongside me as I talk with Him. Let me be clear, God is omnipresent. He is in your car, your house, your workplace. Anywhere you go, He is with you. And we have access to Him wherever we go! But there\u2019s something about seeking out a place that\u2019s special to just you and Him. For me, it was a game changer. There\u2019s nothing else I associate my special place with other than God. I encourage you to do the same! Seek out a spot of your own to meet with Jesus, whether it\u2019s a room in your house or a spot in your backyard!<\/p>\n

James 5 has been on my heart recently and I can\u2019t seem to get it out of my head.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! \u2026 You have lived on Earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourself in the day of slaughter.\u201d<\/i> (James 5:1-3,5)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t