Moving is just NOT fun. Last weekend our family completed a move and I can't think of any aspect of the event that I enjoyed. There is, however, one benefit to moving that I want to explore and share with you. The experience of moving reveals just how materialistic and selfish I really am. I have to admit that I spent a lot of time last week reflecting on how much useless "junk" I own and was embarrassed by it (not to mention how much more work it provided for me in 95 degree heat!!!).
There seems to be a theme developing in my life lately that the Spirit of God is putting on my heart. It can best be described as "PUTTING IT ALL ON THE TABLE". We all go through seasons of self-evaluation. My family is in such a season right now. It can be both a very rewarding and a very challinging season to go through. To be honest, it can also be downright painful.
In this season of self-evaluation, we look at our finances and see just how much money we are wasting on entertainment and materialism. We are making choices like selling our house because it is just too much; getting rid of my smart phone because a $30/month data plan just doesn't make sense; turning off our satellite television; and the list goes on. We are also examining the way we are spending our time and energy as a family - less television, my wife staying home with the kids, homeschooling the kids, more intimate meals around the dinner table, etc. I say all of this to show that EVERYTHING in our lives is on the table and we are asking God to reveal what He desires of us. There is nothing that we are holding back. We have decided that if we are going to be obedient to God we need to put it all on the table and allow His Spirit to help us examine and adjust our lives to be in alignment with His will.
The hard part of doing this is that we are finding that God is challenging us to even let go of the "good" things in exchange for the "right" things. Without getting too specific, we have put our lives on the table for examination and God is clearly leading us to replace some good things in with some much better things.
What do you think would happen in your life and in your family if you all decided to put it all on the table for the sake of examination by God? Are you willing to be obedient to His Spirit's guidance?
Let me warn you...this is a very hard thing to do and it hurts. All I can say is that my wife and I have decided that we would rather be in the center of God's will and what He is commanding of us than to be comfortable and happy in our self-directed lives. We have a long way to go before we can declare victory, but it is a peaceful feeling to know that we are trying.
