Give it up!

I read something cool in the news this week.  Australian businessman, Karl Rabeder, is is giving away his $5.3 million dollar fortune to seek true happiness in life.  Here's a link to his story if you want more delails.  Karl Rebeder story.  If you don't want to read it, here's the short and sweet.  Rabeder is a self made millionaire who felt that more wealth and luxury would equal happiness.  But happiness never came.  Hard work and money would buy luxurious things, but they were never enough.  So, he decided to get rid of it all!  He said, "My idea is to have nothing left.  Absolutely nothing.  Money is counter-productive, it prevents happiness."

This story seems unbelievable in today's consumer driven society.  And though we don't often admit it, none of us are immune to this sickness of materialism.  At least I know I'm not!  I've already decided that my next car needs to have built in GPS, leather heated seats and steering wheel!!!  It's kind of funny to think about how dependent we are on "stuff".  I think many of us learned that the hard way during our power outage.  But, it's really not funny at all.  We may think our stuff makes us happy, but the euphoria is temporary.  Ever wondered why buyers remorse is so pandemic?  So, if not stuff, where DO we find true happiness?  I think you'll all know my answer.  Of course...Jesus Christ.  Talk about a man who gave it all up!  H didn't give up a lot monetarily, but that's just because he didn't have any money to give.  So, he gave what he had.  Himself.  His heart, His soul, His tears, His sweat, and ultimately, His life.  What do we give for Him???

This story also tied into something else that's been on my mind lately.  The season of Lent.  Traditionally, Lend is a period of time leading up to Easter, when Christians prepare to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  There are may ways to observe Lent, but many Christians do so through prayer, self-denial, almsgiving,  repentance, reflection, and soul-searching.  The forty days are meant to represent the 40 days that Christ spent in the wilderness preparing for his ministry.  During this time, Christ was immersed in communion with His heavenly father.  Though traditionally a Catholic, Methodist, or Lutheran tradition, I want to encourage us all to observe lint this year.

We tend to get so caught up in life physically, emotionally, monetarily, etc.  Let's get rid of it!  I'm not telling you to sell all of your stuff like the Australian millionaire, but simplify.  Reflect on a part of your life that consumes more of you than it should.  Think about where your life focus is now.  Is it on Jesus Christ?  Is it really?  If no, or I'm not sure was your answer, then why not?  What's keeping you from the sweet peace offered by our Saviour?  Whatever it is...GIVE IT UP!!!  I want to encourage you to take your commitment one step farther and not just remove something, but replace it with Christ.  I'm giving up my snooze button.  I HATE mornings!!!  I set the alarm 45 minutes early so I can ease out of my slumber.  So, instead, I am going to get up and spend my first fruit of the day with Christ.  I admit, I've tried this one before and failed miserably!!!    Maybe you don't want to change the time of day you commune with our father.  Maybe you just want to spend more time, or maybe more "real" time.  Whatever you choose to do, be it prayer, meditation, reading, fasting, etcetera, I pray the outcome is fruitful.  It's certainly not going to be easy, but let's encourage each other along the way.  So, good luck!  And here's to hope that you all experience more of Christ, by experiencing less of the world.