That being said, I would like to talk about materialism. Mainly in the context of my own life. I had done some contemplation on the subject in my own life last summer and into the fall and, though it has improved, I am nowhere close to where I should be in such regards. I started thinking about it again recently while listening to a sermon on the radio by James McDonald; he was speaking on Psalm 23 and the soul. This is the particular statement that stood out, "The wanting of things depletes the soul's strength." I would like to take that a step further and say that the acquisition of things does nothing to replenish it.
I think I have tried to fill my feelings of sadness and loneliness with stuff. Wal-mart runs at 10:00 pm on a Friday night to buy a movie and maybe a cheap shirt. Can you say instant gratification?...For the two hours the movie lasts and the one or two times I wear the shirt. Sure it brings some happiness but for only a short time. I bought a car (my 3rd) last summer. There was really nothing particularly wrong with the one I had, but I thought it would make me happy. The car broke down on the way home the day I bought it. It has since been towed six times. I did not have it for my entire Christmas break. Despite that, I still struggle with this materialistic nonsense. Why the hell do I have this gross misconception that things, meaningless things, will bring me happiness, or furthermore joy.
That's what I want; joy. The kind that only God can give. I was searching through Psalms and David talks about joy on numerous occasions. Psalm 30:11 says this, "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy"
So I will continue to work toward that change. I will seek joy in the Lord and not in the 'almighty' dollar and what I can get with it. I need to love that which will love me back.
I end with this quote,
"Joy is prayer - Joy is Strength - Joy is Love - Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."
- Mother Teresa
-J. Van
-J. Van
