Oh, hush, Amos!

Our Sunday School lesson was all about me yesterday, as usual.

For some reason as I stood at the trash can this past week, the Lord informed me of a fact. No, it wasn’t an audible voice that spoke to me, but rather a scripture that was brought to mind. (That’s how it usually happens to me by the way.) I really didn’t like the scripture He brought to mind but He really doesn’t care about that. (If that’s a newsflash to ya, I AM sorry.)

The kids and I have been reading through the gospels a chapter at a time since the first of the year. The scriptures that have really been speaking to me are the ones that have to do with money and time. I have been really under conviction about how materialistic I can be. If you know me, you know I’m really not very materialistic--usually. But then there is the scripture that says, if you have two cloaks, give one away to someone who has none. What?! But, I need a brown one and a black one at least, Lord. You know I need to match. You know what? I don’t think He really cares about that either. Sigh.

So anyway, that’s where my mind has been--on things like that. Then, here I am at the trash can--the graveyard of past blessings. Let me explain that, the trash can is where I put empty food cans and wrappers, empty paper towel rolls and all types of things that show the world (or at least the trash picker-uppers) that we are indeed a blessed family. We can afford PAPER TOWELS!! Do you know where I’m comin’ from? Can I get a witness?

Okay, back to my lesson: I am standing at the trash can and into my mind pops a scripture from Amos. Well, I couldn’t remember it exactly so when I had some time I looked it up. Bummer. Now, I know why all these powerful people of old wanted to hush the true prophets! It really hurts to be told the truth sometimes. Now, don’t get any ideas about having me stoned, remember, I am talking to myself--just using this format.

The scripture from Amos (Amos 6:4-6) talks about the Israelites who were able living in the lap of luxury, being indulgent in what they ate, how they spent their time, and how they treated their bodies while other of their “brethren” went hungry and were oppressed. Well, I guess even the poorest of Americans live in luxury compared to most of the rest of the world’s population. I would definitely think that we also eat more expensively than we could and spend more money on our bodies than we should. But again, this is truly about ME.

I am in my happy place right now and I’ll be honest, I’d rather not leave it. I like having time and money, but am I spending that good stuff where I need to be? Am I concerned about the “affliction” of my brethren? I guess not. Babies are murdered by the thousands, the old and infirm are killed quietly with drugs or just left to die lonely and alone and even worse, people are dying and going to Hell. Maybe that is true because I am not the LIGHT that I need to be because I’m too worried about my own ivory couch and how nice it would feel to lie there and think about what I might need to load onto my ipod from itunes, or maybe whether The Mentalist is coming on this week or is it gonna be kicked off AGAIN!! because of the stupid March Madness. Does that sound ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS to anyone besides me???

I need to make the decision to stop being this wimpy woman who loves her comfort more than the LORD who died for her and made provision for her in heaven--the real world. Good grief! I live because He is alive in me. I’ve been saved from my bonds of sin and given life. It sounds stupid to think of an ivory couch when my loved ones are dying and going to Hell or are living Hellish lives here when I could do something to help. If it’s hard to cast off the cloak of materialism, then I could can look at it this way: I’m really thinking’ my pile of treasures up there is piddly.

I kinda do wish that the Lord hadn’t talked to me about this because my dear friend tells me I’m not responsible for what I don’t know. (Oops! Sorry. Now you know it too!!) Well, no ivory couches for this chick…they’re too expensive anyway…nope, really--I don’t even have an ipod and I don’t drink wine, but I do intend to ask the Lord to help me give up what I do consider treasures for other’s welfare. Pray for me.

God Bless, and I’m sure it’s illegal to stone people now.