inspired by disgust

We all know we (especially Americans from where I come from) have a lot of stuff. We collect things, we have a 'just-in-case' cabinet, and many have garages of things hidden away so we don't have to be reminded of all the things we own or are responsible for. The book, Radical by David Platt (http://www.radicalthebook.com/), defines so well what our priorities should be, but many times we don't know how to make changes in our daily consumption or how to curb consumer desires enough to make a difference... That is unless you're literally selling everything & moving to a shack in an 'un-reached village' somewhere. God hasn't called us all to move & inhabit foreign lives, but He has called us to obedience.

An article by Mark Powley from Relevant Magazine entitled Breaking Our Consumer Addiction
(http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/mission/features/26452-breaking-our-consumer-addiction) caught my eye this week... Here's a bit of the main message:

"So what kind of habits can reshape our desires? There are many: Sabbath worship with all our soul and strength; sharing life with other Christians; practical action for the poor, and many more. But Jesus did prescribe one particular habit to remake the desires of would-be disciples with plenty of stuff to their name: sell your possessions.

In fact, in Luke's Gospel. every time someone increases their possessions, it coincides with moving away from the Kingdom. Bigger barns, new fields, new oxen—it didn't matter what it was; their hearts were just following their newly acquired stuff. But to His followers, Jesus said "sell your possessions" and "those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples" (Luke 12:33 and 14:33).

There's no point turning this into a new law—our response should be Spirit-inspired, grace-filled and creatively unique. But this is definitely a call to action. So what could that possibly look like?"

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When I was back in the US for a visit in January 2011, I was often asked if it was hard to be back in the world I left or "if I was disgusted by America" like so many returning from mission trips can be. I had to think long & hard about my answer. Was it hard? Was I disgusted? The answer ended up being yes! I was disgusted that when I was in my American-lifestyle that I didn't realize how rich I was. I complained that I didn't have money to do this, that, or the other, but when I looked at my budget, there always seemed to be room for a lunch at Panera or a coffee at Starbucks (all for the sake of my social-life and spending time with other people). I am disgusted that what we label as "needs" are often "wants" and what we think we must have isn't always the best use of our money.

Since living in South Africa, my priorities have drastically changed just because of culture. I still crave Starbucks, would love to have TV (I'm really missing TLC and the Today Show), and yearn to go out to eat each week as I used to, but when all my cultural norms and American acceptable spending environments are stripped away, I now look at the American luxury lifestyle as a waste. My new reality is that I'm praying through the "how" of raising money for simple, practical living-expenses to stay on the mission-field, and when I think about how I used to spend money and what I could have 'given up' to help support missions, I'm disgusted by my past cultural spending and selfishness. My world is viewed through a new lens. I only wish I'd had that lens while I could have been more generous. The lens isn't full of judgment; its really just full of disappointment in myself and my ignorance while rich. I was truly disgusted with 'self.'

Praying that you will turn your desires over to God before culture engulfs you. Pray about what you can sell for the sake of missions & giving to others. Take Jesus' commands literally! I promise you won't regret it!