I've been thinkin a lot about....

Lately I have been thinking a lot about how lucky I am to be an American, how fortunate I am to have spendable money, own toys, have drinking water, own a car, type on this laptop that is mine....

Gosh, God has blessed me more than I know. Ever since I was a teenager I have thought about what it might be like to have grown up in a third world country. I had thought that it was sort of unfair. Although God has reasons for putting me here. I want to do whatever it is that HE wants me to do. I want to serve Him.

Sometimes it is easy to live in my world. To be so focused on me and what I want, what I think I need. I think about the next purchase I want to make, my agenda for tomorrow, my next task or test...I plan my own world. I try to figure it all out. It is easy to be so wrapped up in me thinking that I miss God and what He wants. I miss opportunities to serve Him. I forget about the lost. I forget about those who are less fortunate than me.

I think that I can do something for those who are less fortunate than me. I see how I rule my own life. I see all the money and food I waste. I realize that I have a lot more than many many many others in this world. I realize though that I can do something. 

I want to do something. I feel a desire to do something more. I feel called to help other people. I am not sure exactly how or what that will look like...

I do not know why I feel compelled to even type this, but at a young age I felt called to ministry, at one point I felt that I might even be called to be a missionary...but God is still working the plans. I am not sure where the path is leading right now. I am still learning, growing and training. 

One of the lessons that I have also spent much time contemplating recently is just how much time and energy I (we, as a nation) spend building our own kingdoms....building our own barns, collecting toys, growing our bank accounts, etc...it is very selfish. 

Think about it, none of these things are eternal. Nothing is going to Heaven with us. The only thing that stands forever is the Word of God and God himself. 

Maybe I am different than most people. But I feel the need to spend less time conquering my greedy American dreams and more time helping the less fortunate. 
Another thought that piles on to the equation is this one, "Are you ready if Jesus comes back?"

I don't mean to sound religiously bigoted or better than anyone, cause I am not. I waste a lot of time and money. I am greedy sometimes. I am working on all of these things in my own personal life, that is probably why I am typing all of this....

But think about it, chasing our American dreams sometimes gets in the way of what we are called or might be called to do by God. God wants us to share our faith and help the less fortunate. God commands us to make disciples. The early church was a
lot more eschatological in their thinking then we are, wheter they knew it or not... they knew Jesus was coming back and they lived ready for His return! Are we doing these things? Are we in love with our first love? Are we sharing our faith enough? Are we giving to the poor and helping the widows and children? Are we living like Christ? Is this how the early Church followed Christ? 

I am not saying we cannot have good things and we should not live with the things God has blessed us with...nor am I accusing anyone, but myself of a bad faith or a lost love... But these are things to consider...these are thoughts from my head....