December 26, 2005

I find it funny how at a time of chaos and confusion, things can become as clear as day.

I went to the mall for the day-after-Christmas massacre with a few friends, and ended up running into one of my best friends as well as many others friends of mine, including one I haven't seen in almost six months.

This is such a great thing because amid the chaos that was post holiday shopping, I was shown how little I actually needed to purchase in material goods, simply because of the fact that God has given me so much in my life already.

From day to day, I still rely heavily on the material goods this world offers to keep me happy, at least in part. I realize all at once how much we do rely on what we own as how we view ourselves. Even some of the most Godly people I know put some worth in what they have in material fashion. The struggle we face here is so important to deal with just because we need to keep in mind that we have something on the table, being offered to us, that is far better than any car or ring or house can offer. God offers us true peace and true love.

As I type this, I realize something that, perhaps, I should have realized a while ago. When I started this, I didn't really think how deeply the journey I'm taking might root itself in me. I figured that when I said a journey, it might take me on a few roadtrips and I might see some pretty things.

As of yet, I have taken no road trips, and yet this journey is far more incredible than I could imagine. I have finally realized that perhaps God wants me to take more of a journey inward into my own soul with Him than I will ever take on the physical road in this year. I have truly started to see how I have lived my life, and how God can change it, when I'm willing to accept He can.

For the first time in my life, I'm starting to live and think ahead of my actions, in terms of my opinions of people and how I relate to them. God is showing me, or rather, I am finally listening, to how important loving my neighbor is. This does not mean that people are changing in the world so much as God is showing me how to love them despite how things may not be perfect. It is a true revelation to see how much it works in life.

If something is offered willingly, why should we choose to deny it, given such a beautiful gift? How do we turn it down or even deny it's presence?