The Tyranny of Things

Whenever I see a big, nice TV and a blu-ray disc player, a nice truck or house, a new pair of shoes, or anything that I would like to have, I have to be careful with my thoughts. I also have to be careful with my possessions controlling me. I have to be cautious not to put these things first, in front of God. It is so easy for us to focus on all the stuff that we have and all the stuff that we want. It is something that teeters on a dangerous line. And it is a trap easily fallen into - one that I have often been caught in recently.

I am very ashamed that I, as a follower of Christ, have let the things that God created takeover the place of the Creator - that I often let the things that God has created to bless me with, to draw me closer to Him with, and to show His glory with, take the place on His throne in my heart. Don't get me wrong, it is okay to have things, it is even okay to 'want' things, as long as they do not consume our heart - as long as they do not take dwelling in our heart so deep that if when taken away (He gives and takes away) it is so painful like roots being ripped from the ground - as long as it does not devastate us when gone. When God is our focus and when He is at His rightful place on His throne in our hearts, the things that we possess will not come between the Creator and the created.

Let us be thankful for what we have and be cautious of the things that we want. Let us no longer let things take residence in our hearts...on His throne. As for me, I will do my best to take pleasure in what I have that He has blessed me with - my wife, my kids, and my family.

I know that when I put Him first, that when I keep Him above all else, He will bless my life with more "things" than I can imagine.