A Good Life
I don’t watch much television, but if I do, I tend to tune into the Food Network or HGTV. I must admit that I have watched one too many episodes of “Property Brothers” and “Love it or List It.” The other day though, I just had to turn the TV off. The episode centered on a very greedy young couple. They were demanding lots of perks — stainless steel appliances, marble counter tops, a surround sound system, a wine cooler. After every commercial break, a new “must have” emerged. Nothing was enough. This couple wanted it all, and they weren’t shy about asking for their needs to be met. It got me to thinking about how this world defines “the good life” — designer clothes, fancy jewelry, name-brand jeans, leather purses that cost half my pay check. We like to have things — gynormous plasma TVs, blue ray players, video game consoles. It is never enough. We will get up at 4 AM to stand in line outside a Walmart on Black Friday to grab hold of the next latest gadget to suit our fancy.
More and more, as I read the Gospels, I realize how completely messed up our thinking is. I mean, Jesus didn’t even own a home. His whole life was centered on others. He washed feet, rather than wearing expensive shoes. He ate with beggars and sinners, rather than feasting with the rich and famous. He gave it all away so that others would find true freedom.
This morning, I was reading in Proverbs and discovered this phrase: “A good life is a fruit-bearing tree…” (11:30a, MSG). I want this to be my focus for this year. Rather than taking in and hoarding, may my life produce shade and sustenance for others. That’s the good life.
Q4U: How do you life out the good life in a world that is so upside-down in its thinking?
My one-word focus for the year is “fruitilicious.” Find out what that means here.
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May we have a servant’s heart & lay up our treasures in Heaven, where we can enjoy them eternally. Life on earth is so short that I would much rather bear fruit than hoard stuff.
Thanks for the inspiring post, & also for visiting and commenting on Saved by Grace!
Your blog is a blessing and I am now following it, and I invite you to follow Saved by Grace also:
http://savedbygracebiblestudy.blogspot.com/
Love in Him,
Laurie Collett
Mmmm. A good life is a fruit-bearing tree. So perfect for your fruitilicousness! (I misspelled that and had to fix it). I will be meditating on that verse, Lyli. Such a good word.
I keep finding these verses… little nuggets to keep me focused. 🙂
We decided to give up unnecessary spending for Lent. And now I realize how much we spend on things that aren’t necessary. It’s been a great discipline.One I hope we continue past Easter. The whole reason we want to do it is to increase our ability to give to others who are in need. Your post echoed that for me.
We realized how frivolous our spending was when we had to write it all down when we took a Dave Ramsey class at church…. just the amount of money I spent on snacks at work during a month could probably support a child through Compassion…
I’ve been thinking about things like this a lot lately, too. Redefining the good life in the face of the messages we get bombarded with in this society isn’t easy, is it?
I am very prone to forget….
Lyli–our choices to be unlike the world echo many of those above–we stretch our money as far as it will go, stick to a budget and still have plenty to give away. It’s not often a topic of conversation (“Oh, we are so frugally perfect, dontcha know?”) but it does provide a peace that many of my non Christian friends can see, I hope 🙂 Thanks for asking.
I need to be more intentional about this, Jody. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
What a great word and focus for the year…for Lent, we are giving up a convenience, and using the money saved to give to someone in need…blessings to you 🙂
What a wonderful idea, Dolly!
Love your word! I spent many years believing more stuff would make me happy. How wrong I was! Thank you for sharing. So happy to have the opportunity to connect through Jennifer’s blog. Blessings to you.
Thanks for stopping by, Beth. I am learning more and more that it’s easier to find Him with open hands.
We’re writing these days about following Jesus too. It’s not popular to talk about the giant elephant of materialism and our greedy gadget crazy. Thanks for being so brave!
You are so sweet, Helene! Thanks for that affirmation. I do love your blog and visit there often.
I just loved this. I have found that a great life is a life lived in our Lord Jesus. Where else can we find unconditional love, grace, peace, joy and all the rest. When we abide in Him, then fruitilicious becomes a way of life! Visiting via FFF.
Have a blessed weekend.
Much love XX
Mia
Thanks for that reminder that I need to abide, Mia. On crazy mornings like this one, I am tempted to rush through my quiet time…. never a good choice.