I'm Free!

Like the previous post said, I just moved into my new flat. It is the 5th place I've lived in the year and a half since I've come to Kosova. I was standing looking around at all the boxes and moving clutter and I said to my friend- "I think I should have a house warming party. Just to celebrate answered prayers and what I hope is my last move for a long time." We chatted about that for a while, and then I began to get worried. I remembered what a house warming party is...people bring you gifts! So, I told her- "Well, we can only have a house warming party if everyone promises to not bring me anything!" We laughed at that, but the last thing I need right now is more stuff! After moving 5 times (and it has been about 14 in the last 4 years...) recently, stuff becomes a hassle; to say the least. And reality stands, I don't need most of the junk I think I do...

However, it just struck me as funny, because I would never have said that in The States. We always want Baby Showers, Wedding Showers, House Warming Parties, Graduation Gifts, Birthday Gifts, Wedding Gifts...you name it, we want it! We, as people, especially Americans, are so attached to things, stuff, junk, and essentially something that will be in the trash a few years later. But God has been refining me so often lately- having cars catch fire and burn up, getting my stuff stolen out of my car, losing it in the mail, having to give it all away when I moved here, etc. And on the other side of it all, I can now see that stuff doesn't equal happiness...never, ever, ever! And actually the less stuff you have, the more reliant you are on others. Making cookies, but don't have a mixer- go visit your friend who does. Want to watch a movie, but don't have a DVD player, go to your friend's house. Don't have a coffee machine, go visit your favorite coffee bartender. It fosters a healthy sense of community and reliance on others. What we live out and do in America is pretty jacked up: "I need it all for me, just me, in my own house, that I had to have 5 different loans to get, and I am going to fill it will as many things as my credit cards can buy..."

"You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."
-Luke 12:20-21

Freedom from stuff is a great privilege! Freedom to rely on your brothers and sisters is difficult at first, but a richness beyond words after you conquer your pride and independence. Freedom to not be distracted is a blessing. And Freedom to worship and love God, fully surrendered, clinging to nothing, is marvelous indeed!