This World

"This world has nothing for me, and this world has everything." 

Caedmon's Call

A whole new generation of Christians has come up believing that it is possible to ‘accept’ Christ without forsaking the world.” 

A.W. Tozer

I am so guilty of this! And I struggle. As I type this I know that I want something better for my life, but at the same time, I wonder if I will ever break free of the bonds on me. I have a better understanding now after living overseas what life is really about, and its not about the fleeting things that I still chase after! Music, movies, materialism, the internet, and the list could go on.

I went shopping tonight at a mall nearby, and I don't know why, but lately shopping has lost its luster for me. (which is probably a good thing). I had a low day, and was tired of my own thoughts that were becoming a huge distraction to my work, but I didn't want or need the company of others, and I didn't want my thoughts to be spoken if I were with someone. I did have a reason for going, but later realized a side motive was also to have a "pick-me-up". 

All over the place is the message: "You need this!" "You deserve this!" "This would look great on you!" "Its such a great deal!" Such a "positive" atmosphere, that more often than not the consumer leaves unsatisfied or negative. (Hmm... that really didn't fill this void did it?)

We are so often tempted to chase after "lovers less wild". How often my flesh wants to go to music, TV, movies, shopping, food, etc for escapes.... When I am only filled by my God. On the way home my taxi driver took me through a ritzier area to get to where I am housesitting. I say ritzier, knowing that the area I went through is considered ritzy here, but would be considered upper middle class back in the states. My stomach turned. Money, something so many take for granted, yet others die because they don't have it... whether of starvation or no health care. 

I don't want to stay in this vain rut. Is there a balance in sharing blessings and allowing yourself to be blessed? If there is a balance, what does it look like?