Oh me. Where do I even begin with this topic? Sometimes I just feel so overwhelmed. I’m overwhelmed by the amount of un-used junk we own. I’m overwhelmed by my to-do lists or the number of obligations I’m precariously balancing on my plate. TO be honest, I often dream of what it would be like to sell everything, to buy a tiny house on wheels, & pick up & just travel, blog, read, & share the Gospel. Oh, the people I’d meet, the places I’d be able to see, & the things I’d be able to do!

While yes, that might sound like the “dream life,” it wouldn’t be MY life & it wouldn’t really fit me. I’m way too introverted for that. But it does bring me back to the idea of if I did that, what exactly would it be that I was trying to “escape”? I’m not unhappy with this life…I’m quite happy, actually. God has provided immeasurably for me. Maybe that’s it…I see how God has so faithfully provided & yet I have wasted so much of the opportunity He’s provided me on junk that I’m now surrounded with & overwhelmed by it all. I’m allowing the time He has granted me on this tiny planet to be sucked away by pointless things.

Ultimately, I feel like that is one of the biggest lessons He has taught me in 2017: that less is more. Less junk = more mental, physical, & financial freedom. Less scheduling clutter = more time to invest in the things He wants me invested in. He is slowly pointing out the things wasting my time & money. He is reminding me to take care of the things He’s already given me & if I can’t do that, then I need to give it away to someone who can. I am excited to begin cutting back- on junk, spending, & time-wasters. I can’t wait to see what God will build in the freedom I didn’t allow myself to have before & I can’t wait to begin investing it back into what matters most: His kingdom.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth & rust destroy & where thieves break in & steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys & where thieves do not break in & steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21

It will be hard & I know I will fail & fall back to my old ways sometimes, but I know this is for the best. In the extra, in the freedom, I look forward to increasing the opportunities to give to ministries & missions, in both time & money. I look forward to being able to go on missions, a desire which I have long-felt growing in my heart. I look forward to being able to put on paper all the thoughts, lessons, & encouragement God has taught me so I can share that with others.

In our society, we are bombarded with sales pitches, commercials, the idea that we won’t be satisfied until we have or do this or that. We are constantly bombarded with new fashion, appliance, or hobby trends. We’re even bombarded with guilt trips from others that make us think or feel that we’re not doing enough for God. It is overwhelming & Iknow it will not satisfy the true longing of my soul. So today, I choose to focus on the things God is directing me to do. I choose to stop worrying that my life & actions aren’t good enough compared to others. I choose to remember & live out the fact that less is more & I know to Whom my everything belongs, so I should invest it wisely.

Be blessed, friends.