Okay, So I'm getting to the point. Because I take forever to decide things, I sometimes start thinking about them, and working out what I do or don't like or what I would or wouldn't do, long before it ever matters. Now for a confession... I have a wedding folder on my computer, I'm not engaged and I don't have a boyfriend. I don't even know a guy that I would want to be my boyfriend, let alone one day husband! I'm not the type of girl that sits and dreams about one day getting married, or who pines over the fact that I haven't met anyone. Occasionally I get lonely. But so does everyone. God's got it under control. So although the wedding folder may be interpreted the wrong way, It's there because I suck at making decisions! I don't purposely hunt out stuff to go in it, but if I happen to see something at a friends wedding that I like, or completely hate, it goes in there. The theory is, that I'm helping the future me with my future decisions!
Today I finally saw Tomorrow When the War Began. Best Book ever. We had to read it for my English class, I have read it about 5 times since then, including the rest of the series. [Side note, the movie was really good, not a let down at all!] So my brother, mum and I wandered out and walked past a Jewellers, I stopped to look at rings. "Ooh, I kinda like that one, but it's only worth $500 ha-ha. As if I'd get that one!" Mum said, "but what if he doesn't earn much money?" I thought my response was quite justified, after all I'm going to be wearing that ring for the rest of my life "Well, I expect an engagement ring worth more than that, he can save up for it!"
I've thought about what kind of ring I want for the last couple years, every time a friend gets engaged, I check out their ring, and think, "Ew" [and of course, say, "Oh wow, that's so unique really suits you"] or occasionally, I think that I should get a photo of their ring off facebook and add it to my folder. I Kind of know what I want now: square cut diamond. Maybe channel set diamonds. Yellow Gold. No question there.
Tonight I discovered withthisring.org
It has challenged me and given me a reminder of how selfish I can be.
Selfish me wants a nice engagement ring. But then my other side, sees how it affects everyone. The other side of me says to selfish me, "What are you doing? People don't have water to drink or food to eat. And you want your one day man to spend heaps of money on a chunk of metal with a sparkly rock stuck in it? Dug up by people who got paid almost nothing for their labour, but they dug in the heat anyway, just so that they could earn enough money to get a little bit of food, so that their children don't literally starve to death. And you call yourself a follower of Christ?
If Jesus asked the 'rich young man' in Mark 10:21 to sell all he had, give it to the poor and follow him, why would he ask anything less of me the "rich" young woman? I may not have any savings in the bank, or any possessions of real value, but compared to so many people I am rich. Luke 12:34 says, "For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also."
I don't mean to guilt trip you, or myself. I really don't have the answers. I only have the questions. But it's a start I guess.
(Check out the website, it's really cool, there are some amazing stories on there, and some good solutions such as sending them your diamond and getting a fake one instead.)
I don't have the solution. But if we can't find a solution, then we can find a way to move forward for a bette tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteMaterial wealth is the theortical worth we place on physical things. For example a wedding ring is worth more than just money that is paid for it. It carries an expression of love and commitment that no price tag can be attached to.
Consider this event from the gospels Matthew 26 verses 6 to 13. While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."
As far as what we can do to help the poor and downtrodden. One thing this implusive man has learned is that helping others through recklessness is not an easy solution, because sometimes by helping on person we may disadvantage many. By selling everything I own I become poor.
You can still live in prosperity and modesty. Giving all you are able, but not so you become what you are trying to save.
Refering back to Jesus' anointment the disciples were right in that the alabaster jar and the perfume could have been sold to raise money for the poor. But the intention of the woman was far greater because she focused on the intention of love and not money. Jesus said this act will be remembered indicating the significance of the womans gesture. Motivation by guilt is not motivation by love, if you feel guilt perhaps ask God to help you gain a greater understanding of love.
Your words are beautiful and have helped me, and I hope they have helped you.
Please continue these writings.
Thanks Morgan, you've raised some good points for me to think about.
ReplyDelete"Giving all you are able, but not so you become what you are trying to save" This is my favourite bit. Worded so well. That's probably one of my biggest mental battles.
Thanks :)