I have been thinking about shopping lately. Materialism surrounds us. We don’t even recognize it anymore. We weren’t created for this.
After the glow of owning an expensive purse or raincoat or wristwatch wears off, it’s just a purse or a raincoat or wristwatch. And you are still you, trudging through slush. Your life will not change, except that you will be more in debt to a credit card company.
Owning things–even beautiful things–will not give you peace of mind. Consumer goods will not prevent the loss of people you love. New stuff will not shield you from feeling not good enough or attractive enough or successful enough.
What will give you peace of mind? Faith in something or someone bigger than you. Making a difference by helping others. Doing something you really believe in and spending quality time with people you love. Having experiences that open your mind, your imagination, and your heart. Let this be our Advent: a season of reflection and silence and preparation and hope.
This message is excerpted from “What brings you peace of mind?” by Kate Elliott from the December 5, 2019, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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Amen Sista! I used to hate Christmas because of all the obligations that society put on people to spend, bake, and decorate on the anniversary of the birth of the One who came to end all that foolishness. But when I entered Seminary and started living in the scriptures and dwelling in the liturgical season I discovered the hope, peace, joy, and love that comes with rediscovering what is really important and setting those obligations to the side. I learned to give an receive the love of Christ which is priceless, never fails, and lasts forever. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can put on Christ, which makes us new, and transforms our old tired and weary selves into kind, thoughtful, gracious beings who welcome the King and feel no sense of obligation to anything else.