"Having Less... and Enjoying Him More" : HEARTLIGHT® Magazine

Sarah Breathnach was thriving in her career as a successful journalist. Yet in spite of the trappings of success, an emptiness and frustration lingered in her soul.

Like millions of other women, Sarah was juggling too many responsibilities. Striving for happiness by doing everything perfectly, she became an angry and frustrated woman. Then she became a detective of her own life. Sarah realized that she had allowed minor frustrations such as cluttered closets get the best of her.

Sarah turned her reflections into a best-selling book entitled Simple Abundance. The main point of her book is "All you have is all you need." It was on the New York Times Bestseller List for many months. Her message has apparently hit a nerve in the hearts of millions. Content doesn't come from being busy or having more stuff.

Are you discovering that a busy, cluttered life doesn't bring lasting joy? Jesus says, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15)

If Jesus spent a day with you, what would He say about your lifestyle? What would He say about mine? Would He tell us to slow down? To spend less time at the malls or office, and more time with Him? To savor more of life's simple pleasures?

This week would you join me in taking an inventory of our lives? Begin by getting alone with the Lord and His Word. Be honest with the Lord and ask Him to show you ways to avoid getting swept away by our materialistic, frantic culture. Then start removing things or activities that distract you from experiencing what you most need -- a living relationship with the living God.

I strongly believe that if we do seek first His kingdom, and not seek after more possessions or trivial pursuits, we'll rediscover that abundant life Jesus offers to all who come to Him in simple faith.

Are you presently experiencing a new life? God's word says, "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" This new life is a free gift of God through faith Jesus Christ. If you want to know more about this life that only Jesus can give you, sign up for one of our Bible courses. Wherever you are in life, whatever you've done, you can begin again. You may also contact Jim Clark at jimclark@abilene.com if you have questions about becoming a new creation.

Having Less... and Enjoying Him More

by Jim Clark