The Outside World

Recently I’ve been taking to God about our finances and spending habits.

I wanted to make a change in myself. To not want to just spend money, rather save it.

I’ve never been great at this. I like to shop and have packages come. In all reality, I’ve been trying to find happiness in physical items.

It’s not going to happen.

God has shown me for the last few weeks that He is where I’ll find happiness and peace.

I haven’t been shopping or even wanted to spend money really.

Yes, I have things in my Amazon cart, but have not purchased.

I’m focusing on being thankful for what we have and not sad about what we don’t. Fancy things aren’t going to bring happiness for long.

Today I opened my Bible and devotional to read this: “The world is waiting to squeeze you into its mold and to crows out time devoted to me.”

It’s so true. The world around us is always making us want to be like our neighbors. But bigger and better. Even doing things that aren’t very Christian like.

I’m finding that the older I get, the more I can see through certain people and their appearance. I don’t need to feel compelled to keep up with them. Like me for who I am or don’t be in my life. Period.

We are to listen to God above all the nonsense here on this earth. Money and fame aren’t everything. Living a life for Jesus and making a difference by showing His love are far more important.

Do you feel at peace and connected to God when you’re in church but then you leave and it slowly fizzles away?

Yeah, me too.

I’m working on that. But seriously, the outside world is so in our faces that it’s hard to stay focused some times.

Scrolling through social media, you get jealous of other people’s homes, clothes, whatever. But look around you. Do you have a roof over your head, a job to make money, a family that loves you?

Yes, it’s fun to get new things from time to time, but don’t think that going to Home Goods is going to make you feel better about life forever.

Only God can give you peace, grace and love that will bring joy. He is the only true happiness.