Brilliantly written. And something I was very much inspired by. It directed me to see the Christ in everything I do (worship), so that when it is gone, I don’t lose the Spirit and essence of it, because I’ll always have Jesus.
And of course also inspires me to think about things I worship which don’t represent Him at all.
What I also love is your research of Christian writers. As a seventh-day-Adventist, I’ve never come across anyone else who quotes one of its founding members other than us (Ellen White).
Thank you for this thoughtful comment. I am glad it resonated with you. I do love finding different Christian authors, but I am a seventh-day-Adventist as well actually! So quoting her was definitely natural. It is nice to meet others around the world who share our beliefs!! :)
My dad grew up in India and often talks about the joy of "simpler" days, which included eating mangos fresh from the mango tree. For us in the developed world, consumerism has warped hearts. At the same time, I do believe the Lord delights in our delighting in the things that He's provided for our enjoyment...like coffee! As long as we don't worship or place our ultimate happiness in those the created things. Thank you for the reminder to turn our eyes to the Creator as our ultimate source of joy!
Thank you for sharing this!! Consumerism has definitely become such an important thing in our first-world countries. I also think that these small things can be truly such great things to be thankful for, we just have to make sure they don’t overpower our hearts!! :)
Excellent as usual. It made me think of one of the most convicting things I ever heard in a sermon. The speaker said, "The church of today cannot say, 'silver and gold have I none', and neither can it say, 'rise, take up your bed and walk.'"
I like the way you were able to adjust even after losing something so dear to you. You questioned what really gives man happiness ? It takes a lot of thinking to actually question.
I am curious to 🧐 which part of Africa you had lived in.
That's so interesting seeing the breakdown of the effects of making other things become your idol. When that obsession starts to take over, it really can destroy your mind and emotions. I truly believe that God fills whereas everything else takes away.
feels like a quiet loosening of the things we didn’t realize we were leaning on, until they slipped and showed us what our hearts were really reaching for. there is something so steady in the way joy begins to settle differently, not in what can be held or lost, but in the presence that remains
Nice reference to David Foster! I have found that it is imperative that we, as followers of Jesus, develop serious awareness of how our possessions end up possessing us.
Recently, I was given an old car. It’s like 27 years old. A relative recently bought a Tesla. He was so excited to show it to me. I was so excited to show him my old Buick. There is nothing wrong with my relative wanting to show me something new and cool. But, I told my wife, “I never want to be the person who feels that life is going poorly when given an old car.” I don’t say this to prop up myself, but at 47, I can say that we have worked very hard to eschew acquisitiveness as a mode. Therefore, contentment comes more easily, most of the time. To be sure, we are swimming against the current. But, it’s a worthy effort.
Maybe, just maybe, I’d be able to give up coffee. No promises though!
thank you for reading, and for your comment! I really do think we need to recognize how much of our heart some of these material things truly possess. i still love my coffee, though, but it was definitely a huge realization! life is so much more abundant even without those possessions.
I believe it was you that did a piece on how our brains get into a loop and how we have to let go and let God to get out of that fishbowl. I read the article and then forgot to send it to myself or save it.
This was such a great reminder to store up treasures in Heaven. The things of this earth will never fully satisfy. 🤍 Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for reading, I am glad it resonated with you.
Brilliantly written. And something I was very much inspired by. It directed me to see the Christ in everything I do (worship), so that when it is gone, I don’t lose the Spirit and essence of it, because I’ll always have Jesus.
And of course also inspires me to think about things I worship which don’t represent Him at all.
What I also love is your research of Christian writers. As a seventh-day-Adventist, I’ve never come across anyone else who quotes one of its founding members other than us (Ellen White).
Thank you for inspiring my perspective, Michaela.
Thank you for this thoughtful comment. I am glad it resonated with you. I do love finding different Christian authors, but I am a seventh-day-Adventist as well actually! So quoting her was definitely natural. It is nice to meet others around the world who share our beliefs!! :)
Haha no way! Small world I guess.
My comment still stands though; as I psychology graduate, I appreciate the references to several theories and ideas across your work.
And ditto. It is likewise a blessing to meet others across the world who share our beliefs. God bless you!
Ooooh, beautiful! And so true! Everything else we chase is like artificial sweetener to the true taste of relationship with the One Who made us.
Thank you for reading and commenting! I am glad it resonated with you. It is so true, nothing can compare to our relationship with Him.
My dad grew up in India and often talks about the joy of "simpler" days, which included eating mangos fresh from the mango tree. For us in the developed world, consumerism has warped hearts. At the same time, I do believe the Lord delights in our delighting in the things that He's provided for our enjoyment...like coffee! As long as we don't worship or place our ultimate happiness in those the created things. Thank you for the reminder to turn our eyes to the Creator as our ultimate source of joy!
Thank you for sharing this!! Consumerism has definitely become such an important thing in our first-world countries. I also think that these small things can be truly such great things to be thankful for, we just have to make sure they don’t overpower our hearts!! :)
This is wonderful and resonates so much!
Thank you for reading!! I truly appreciate it ;)
That is such a sweet start to a new chapter
New place new life and still the little comforts you love
Coffee really becomes a ritual in seasons like that
Wishing you both a beautiful journey in Argentina
Thank you for this kind comment!
Thanks Michaela!
I really enjoyed this.
Thank you for reading! I am happy that it resonated.
This is so full of wisdom! I’m a big coffee person so this was definitely needed. Thank you for sharing🥰
Awww I am so glad that it resonated with you!! All glory to God <3
Hi Michaela,
I saw you commented on my Substack post and by accident I deleted your comment😭
But I just wanted to say that I had read your post yesterday!
Also I saw the game you posted about the names of different countries & it looks fun 😭
Thank you for taking the time to read & your encouraging comment.
Hii! No worries at all, lol. Thank you for commenting <3
Excellent as usual. It made me think of one of the most convicting things I ever heard in a sermon. The speaker said, "The church of today cannot say, 'silver and gold have I none', and neither can it say, 'rise, take up your bed and walk.'"
Thank you for reading!! Wow, that is a really powerful statement. Thanks for sharing that.
I like the way you were able to adjust even after losing something so dear to you. You questioned what really gives man happiness ? It takes a lot of thinking to actually question.
I am curious to 🧐 which part of Africa you had lived in.
Thank you for reading and for your comment! I grew up in Nigeria for five years. :)
That's great to hear.
My father's land, Nigeria.
That's so interesting seeing the breakdown of the effects of making other things become your idol. When that obsession starts to take over, it really can destroy your mind and emotions. I truly believe that God fills whereas everything else takes away.
Congratulations on your marriage! 💚
Yes!! God can truly fill all of those spots in our hearts, and give us lasting joy. Thank you!!
feels like a quiet loosening of the things we didn’t realize we were leaning on, until they slipped and showed us what our hearts were really reaching for. there is something so steady in the way joy begins to settle differently, not in what can be held or lost, but in the presence that remains
exactly this. to let our hearts be sustained by only Jesus, the giver of joy Himself. that keeps our joy so steady and everlasting.
Nice reference to David Foster! I have found that it is imperative that we, as followers of Jesus, develop serious awareness of how our possessions end up possessing us.
Recently, I was given an old car. It’s like 27 years old. A relative recently bought a Tesla. He was so excited to show it to me. I was so excited to show him my old Buick. There is nothing wrong with my relative wanting to show me something new and cool. But, I told my wife, “I never want to be the person who feels that life is going poorly when given an old car.” I don’t say this to prop up myself, but at 47, I can say that we have worked very hard to eschew acquisitiveness as a mode. Therefore, contentment comes more easily, most of the time. To be sure, we are swimming against the current. But, it’s a worthy effort.
Maybe, just maybe, I’d be able to give up coffee. No promises though!
thank you for reading, and for your comment! I really do think we need to recognize how much of our heart some of these material things truly possess. i still love my coffee, though, but it was definitely a huge realization! life is so much more abundant even without those possessions.
Great paper, very informative
I believe it was you that did a piece on how our brains get into a loop and how we have to let go and let God to get out of that fishbowl. I read the article and then forgot to send it to myself or save it.