My Stuff – WWJD…WTC Syncroblog Update 1
I first want to say that when I chose to participate in this synchroblog I did not anticipate nor expect what it would do to me. And yet today, a mere three days into it I have begun to ask some serious questions about some things in my life. It’s called “my stuff”. Part of this I’m assuming is a mishmash of everything I’ve been reading and thinking about over the last couple of years, and the image is just starting to get clearer, like puzzle that is beginning to take shape. My original question was essentially to ask how everything I did was affected by God’s mission. Was it in line with what God was calling me into?
I’m reading a very interesting book by Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite called Deadly Viper Character Assassins, and there is a very interesting chapter on the “Bling Bling Assassin”. It deals with the nature of our stuff and how we often seek our validation through it. I plan to post a review of the book tomorrow. But what got me was a deeper question. In a consumeristic society, we often wrestle with how much is too much. Jason Clark is doing his PhD on it. It’s a great question. What role does the consumer culture play in our lives. Is the BMW (or anything really) a need for validation? Or deeper still, is a BMW, even when it’s not validating us, okay to buy? I’m not a bling bling kind of guy, but what role does what we use our money on play in the mission?
My initial thought was to jump to the common conclusion that I’ve heard most of my life, that material items are bad. But it’s never quite felt right to me. There is a consistent theme of stewardship and responsibility of material wealth throughout Scripture that leaves me wanting a deeper, more holistic approach to my motives. I want to find a wholeness in my stewardship that allows me to enjoy what God has given me but hold onto it very lightly and with an open hand. I want to find a place in life where I can give at not just any moment, but the right moment that what He had given me was meant for.
And these desires and questions suddenly made me think of one of my favorite movies, Schindler’s List. I love this story because it is for me one of the greatest stories of what the Gospel looks like in life. It’s about fighting for people’s dignity and against oppression. It’s about taking a great risk with stuff and putting it all on the line. It is a great example of mission in action.
One of my favorite scenes of all time is near the end of the movie. Oscar Schindler has a profound moment of redemption when those he has rescued honor him for what he did. But immediately following this scene, he walks with the Jews and has a second profound awakening. For what feels like the first time, he realizes the holistic nature of what he has done. He has saved a life and it is good. But just as the yin shows up, so does the yang. He also recognizes that he could have done more and the awareness is terrifying to him. I believe the quote was,
“With thing ring I could have bought one more life.”
As I began to really sit with this quote I thought about my stuff. I don’t want to feel that regret in my life. I don’t want to unpack all of the rarely used items (Items I had assumed would fulfill me but had found their way into a box in the garage, collecting dust) for an unsuspecting crowd at a garage sale. I don’t want to look at that one thing that cost so much and wonder what glorious purpose it could have been used for. I want to know the value of restoring a life. I want to know the profound nature of His mission and how I was meant to live. I want to know the deeper purpose in what my Father has given me.
And the only way I know how to know which stuff to buy is to put it all on the altar and ask my Father. I have to listen to him as His son. I don’t really like this idea right now. Maybe tomorrow, when I’ve slept on it I’ll get used to it. But right now it sucks. This is my trust. I’ve held onto it so long, that it feels good in my hands. The choice is a part of me.
And the voice inside my heart is asking, “Am I really losing something or am I gaining freedom?”
Am I really losing when my stuff keeps me from hearing His invitation to wholeness. Am I really losing when I begin to shed the items that keep me from the one that truly loves me for who I am. It means a deeper level of maturity and stewardship that I know he is inviting me into, one that is more holistic and good for me as well as his kingdom. It means letting go of my want, so he can give me what I need.
Thanks for listening to my rant.
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Jeff Greathouse
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prophetess07
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jonathanbrink
