I have been trying to plead my case (without success) to my friends and family over the last month or so, as to why I “need” an iPad for Christmas. I mean, they are really cool. I would use it all of the time for both work and for play. It would be so convenient when I travel somewhere, for me to take an iPad instead of always packing up my computer. It would be so much easier, and far less cumbersome for me to take into meetings to take notes, and it would be very convenient for me to be able to take it as I’m sitting in a doctors office, or in a waiting room at a hospital, or to take it on trips, or for a lunch presentation, or… you get the point.

Just the other day I was relaying the story to someone about why about this time last year I “needed” to buy a truck. You see I was driving a station wagon, not exactly my style of car. I had a lot of reasons that I needed an upgrade. You see, I really needed a truck, I couldn’t hardly haul anything in that old wagon. The interior door panels were falling off, the dash and windshield were both cracked, the interior was old and worn out, the windows stopped rolling down, there were dents covering the body, and to top it all off, one cold November afternoon, I was loading some tools in the back to go and help my sister with a home project, and just as I shut the back hatch, the glass decided it was tired of staying in the same place for the last 20 years and jumped right off the back hatch and crashed down to the driveway. That was the last straw. I bought a used 2002 Ford F150. I was happy with the purchase. Until the other day a 2010 Chevy Silverado cut me off on the interstate, and instead of being angry, I just admired the beauty of that truck, I would like one of those for Christmas as well. (sound familiar?)

Now, it is time for a reality check, definitely for me, maybe for you.

Jesus said in Luke 12:15- And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”  I wonder to myself how often I fall into the trap of believing that my life is about things. How often do you? That is the society we live in, is it not? If you do not have the newest phone, fastest car, latest gadget, you are behind the times and need to catch up. Just this morning I had the blessing of holding my healthy, beautiful baby girl in my recliner before leaving for the office. And as she finished eating, she started “talking” to me. With a tight grip on my finger, she smiled from ear to ear. Life, brothers and sisters, is NOT about things. It is about service to God, family,  friends, and as we are reminded by the words in Ephesians 2:10- we are created for good works. Have you ever wondered what your purpose is in life? It is to do good works. That is why you were created.

Phil 4:11-Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

We are taught by Paul that contentment is something that is learned. We will not wake up one day and all of a sudden be content. It is something we must make an effort at. I encourage us all to make an effort to learn contentment. We are in a season, that is often loved for “receiving gifts” lets make it a season of giving. Lets remember, that we have nothing to receive that is better than the blood of Christ that was shed for our sins, and we have nothing better to give, than to tell those we love about what we have received.

In Him,

Troy