December 3, 2008

Read Isaiah 2:1-11

Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.—Isaiah 2:8

In this scripture, the prophet Isaiah called the people to turn from lives of idol worship and sin and warned them of God’s judgment and punishment if they refused. Although we may not be carving and worshipping idols, we collect and worship possessions like cars, homes and money that symbolize power and attempt to give our lives meaning.

Several months ago, when the economy began taking some sharp turns and it was obvious we were headed for challenging times, I had a conversation with one of our clients at Kingdom House about how the economy will affect us. A woman in her sixties, the client shared that she scrapes by monthly with the minimum. She said, “I get some help for my senior housing, I wear my clothes until they’re worn out, I don’t consume a lot of food and I ride the bus when I need to get around.” She went on to say, “One of my few monthly purchases is toilet tissue, so I don’t think it will affect me so hard.” I remembered how each time I see this lady, she is smiling and peaceful. She says that she IS happy. I reflected on the belongings I feel I “need” to get by and how those things can become the idols we worship.

What freedom to not want things! And what a paradox that having the things you think you want does not answer those imagined needs. Look around and truly see those people who are free from want, in such simple circumstances.

Pray: Loving God, during this time of Advent, help me to put my hope and confidence in You and not in the possessions that separate me from Your love. It is in Your word that I find meaning and purpose for my life. In the days ahead help me to support and strengthen others through your love. Amen.

Jennifer March is part of the Hospitality Team at the Gathering and is the Director of Development at Kingdom House. Kingdom House is a social service agency created by the United Methodist Church.