I thought about how quickly life goes. Time moves and glides us along, swiftly moving us into ever changing seasons.
I thought about how things do not matter in the end.
I thought about how I don't want to let all these years go by, and realize I spent too much time wishing I had more things.
I thought about how life is not measured by a dollar sign in your bank accounts or the kind of car you drive.
I thought about how when I get to Heaven, and I stand face to face with Jesus - what will I have done for Him?
I am a girly girl who loves fashion, clothes, and quality things. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with loving style and beautiful things, shopping or going out to eat! All of those things are wonderful blessings. But, I've just been looking at my own heart lately, and seeing that, at times, I'm preoccupied with what I don't have. Wishing for some new item and feeling a little bit down (honestly) that I cannot have it. Comparing my car, my clothes, my fill in the blank - with someone else. Or wishing I could walk into my Pinterest style board and have full access to all my "pinned" outfits, all my longed-for vacations on my "Jet Setting Dreams" board, and all the items from my decorating board right at my finger tips! I'm not bashing Pinterest - I love it, it can be so inspiring and fun...girl, I can pin with the best of 'em! And I love the community of ideas and styles, DIY's and creative inspirations that come from it. But I just want to share with you the thoughts I pondered after my driving in LA experience today. I realized afresh -
I don't want to spend my life on things.
I want to spend my life focusing on eternity.... on what lasts forever.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy,
and where thieves break in or steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
-Matthew 6:19-21
Happiness is not found in a pair of Jimmy Choos (although that high of buying 'em sure may feel like it for a while!), a Louis Vuitton bag, a trip to the Bahamas, or driving a brand spankin' new white BMW convertible off a sparkling lot of luxury cars.
It is only found in Jesus.
I want to fall facedown at the feet of Jesus when I get to Heaven someday, not with an armful of designer clothes and a handful of cash I worked for. No, I want to fall at His feet with love, a heart of service, and a life that was spent for Him.... a life that was messy, yes. Imperfect, yes. Failing-often, yes. With a heart that cared more about Him than anything else.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God, trust also in me.
In my Father's house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am...
I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
- John 14:1-4
There is a mansion in Heaven where He invites us to live with Him for eternity. For infinity. Forever. (can you even wrap your mind around that thought?)
Am I going to be ready?
Our time on earth is really just a breath.
What can we do to store up treasures in Heaven?
Thinking about this tonight....
Lord, change my selfish and greedy heart and make me more like You.
Turn my eyes to eternal things, not temporary things that will spoil and fade.
I don't want to waste my life.
Think about it with me?
Love and hugs to you,
and you,
and you.
Aw. I'm also guilty with this. There are moments when I'm too obsessed with so many things that I forget to actually do the ones that matter. Sometimes, I realized that when I'm feeling down, it's because I've been away from doing wonderful things with love and with people that counts.
ReplyDelete~Ronida
funandruins.blogspot.com
beautiful pictures, and nice blog:)
ReplyDeletehttp://musique97.blogspot.com/
What a beautiful reminder to start my day with! I can always tell when I've gotten a little far from the Lord. That is always when I start thinking about material things to change myself. Really, I should be concentrating on the Word to change my heart. Thank you for these beautiful words!
ReplyDeletehahaha I love how you compare yourself to Carrie underwood's perfect hair... ;) your hair is beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteOh such truth here friend. It is something I have to remind myself of often too when I start the "comparing game." I'm so glad you are okay and nothing happened with the semi... things like that really do shake you up but also leave you with a very fresh perspective. I'll be emailing very soon! :)
ReplyDeleteHow I needed this today. Thank you. We talked about how everything you own could disappear in an instant, and sometimes the happiest people are the ones who have nothing but Jesus. Because really, what else do you need? I certainly don't need to be burdened down with more "stuff"! Thank you for this :)
ReplyDeleteI am so encouraged by your blog...so wise at such a young age! I know God is going to bless your marriage in ways that you can not even imagine right now because of your obedience to Him! I pray that my baby girl has your sweet spirit and beautiful character when she is a young woman. Bless you! By the way...I picked up a button-)
ReplyDeleteSurprise, surprise...you've hit the nail on the head again :)
ReplyDeleteI used to really struggle with material things a few years ago but that is one thing that Adam has helped to break me of...he always asks me the question, "Jess, will this matter in eternity?" And it stops me in my tracks every time.
SO true!
I'm so glad that you're okay and that you made it home safely, Erin!
Love you & appreciate you :)
xo
I just wrote a similar post!! :)
ReplyDeletedidn't know you were in LA. i have a friend who lives in SD and she loves Cali. East coast is....well, boring. I'd love to visit cali sometime.
thanks for the encouraging words!
Amennnnn sista.
ReplyDeleteA. I'm glad your ok from your scary LA drive!!
B. you are so right I feel like this is a lesson i am constantly learning thank you for my reminder
Xoxo
This totally reminded me of something Francis Chan wrote in Crazy Love: “Our greatest fear should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.”
ReplyDeleteSo true!! I do not want to waste a moment. When I get to heaven, all I want to hear is Christ say to me "well done, my good and faithful servant"
Oh that would be scary driving out there. I'm so glad you were ok!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think every single human being feels like they don't have enough. Look at eve! She was content with all the other fruits in the garden, she went to something that she couldn't have. So we get it from her haha
Thanks for this reminder, love!
Girl this is so true. I am so guilty of this, but in light of eternity none of it matters. I constantly need to be reminded of this. I want to set my sights on heaven, not on the next outfit that I want to buy...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. :)
xo. - Margaret
Girl this is so true. I am so guilty of this, but in light of eternity none of it matters. I constantly need to be reminded of this. I want to set my sights on heaven, not on the next outfit that I want to buy...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. :)
xo. - Margaret
I love this post. Contentment is so essential to having peace. and joy. and serving Christ fully. And although it's quoted quite a bit for other reasons, Phil 4:13 is talking about contentment in all circumstances, through Christ. Thank you such a sweet and wise reminder today, friend! Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi sweet lady! I found your blog via She Smiles, She Writes and am SO GLAD I did! Finding sisters in Christ that blog is like a diamond in the rough. I'm your newest follower! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat a well-needed reminder. Something I struggle with at times. It's so easy to get caught up in the world and what it offers instead of focusing on Jesus and what He has for us. Thanks for posting!
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ReplyDeleteYour posts are always convicting and encouraging. You make us think about the things that we have become desensitized to. You are so right on. Jesus so desires for our hearts to be turned to Him, not these earthly things.
ReplyDeleteIt is so easy to get caught up and stuck. So easy.
May we cherish this earthly blessings, but remember this is not what we were truly made for. There is more.
More to life. I think of the verse that says I set my heart/mind on things above...
<3 Your heart never ceases to amaze ME too, Erin. <3 YOU!
This is such an inspiring post! I had a bit of a health scare last week and had the same realization. It's so easy to get caught up in the fabulous material world, and sometimes it takes a scary experience to remember what is really important in life! And I'm sure your hair looked just as good as Carrie Underwood's :) haha! Love your blog, newest follower!!
ReplyDeleteYou are so darling! I'm so glad you stopped by my blog! Your blog is a breath of fresh air and LA traffic is not fun! My husband commutes to Manhattan Beach every day and it has got to be taxing! What part of LA do you live in? I'm helping put together a blogging get together in June and I'd love to meet you!
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about this a lot, too! Living a legacy-- "how will people remember me? Did I choose to love? Did I point to Him enough to make a mark on things?" (Nicole Nordeman) Praying for you today! xo
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post and daily reminder too!
ReplyDeletePlus, that's my favorite Carrie Underwood song.
these pics are really nice <3
ReplyDeletexx the cookies
samecookiesdifferent.blogspot.com
this is exactly what i needed to read today. it touched me truly. i woke up happy today, ready to start new... with what exactly, i dont know.. just to be happy.. but ultimate happiness lies at the feet of our wonderful Jesus who never fails us, leaves us, hurts us...
ReplyDeletethis is where our joy should lie, and where ONLY true joy CAN lie.
thanks erin
xoxo