Originally posted by: JediSage
Something has changed with me today.
I went into a book store during my lunch hour. One of the ones that is a national chain...one that sells a lot of other stuff besides books. As I was walking the ailes, nothing appealed to me. I thought this was strange because I am a book junkie. I can't get enough, and I've got books to keep me reading for the next 10 years at home. I perused just about every rack in the store, hoping to find something that would strike my fancy. Nothing.
Ok, how about the calendars? No. Knick-knacks? Nada. Candy/coffee/cakes? Nope. I realized that I am empty. The accumulation of "things" in my life has lead me to a dead end. Nothing I look at today can give me purpose, or fill the void I'm feeling right now.
This began, I think, as a result of me doing some reading on Pope John Paul II on Wikipedia today. When I look at his accomplishments, at the life he lived, and the difference he made, it makes me ashamed to think that I have done nothing to help ease some of the suffering in this world.
As a Christian, I believe that this world will never be "right" until the second coming (I'm only stating my belief...not inviting an argument over religion), and that I have not lived my life according to my faith. I'm feeling a deep yearning to do something about it. To try to help in some way, but I'm not sure how. I feel lost.
Something has changed with me today.
I went into a book store during my lunch hour. One of the ones that is a national chain...one that sells a lot of other stuff besides books. As I was walking the ailes, nothing appealed to me. I thought this was strange because I am a book junkie. I can't get enough, and I've got books to keep me reading for the next 10 years at home. I perused just about every rack in the store, hoping to find something that would strike my fancy. Nothing.
Ok, how about the calendars? No. Knick-knacks? Nada. Candy/coffee/cakes? Nope. I realized that I am empty. The accumulation of "things" in my life has lead me to a dead end. Nothing I look at today can give me purpose, or fill the void I'm feeling right now.
This began, I think, as a result of me doing some reading on Pope John Paul II on Wikipedia today. When I look at his accomplishments, at the life he lived, and the difference he made, it makes me ashamed to think that I have done nothing to help ease some of the suffering in this world.
As a Christian, I believe that this world will never be "right" until the second coming (I'm only stating my belief...not inviting an argument over religion), and that I have not lived my life according to my faith. I'm feeling a deep yearning to do something about it. To try to help in some way, but I'm not sure how. I feel lost.
I am a Christian too. I think the best advice I can give you is to pray about it. Ask God for some guidance and hopefully he will give it to you in some way. I believe that God has already shown you something in the bookstore. All I know is that if you don't ask, you won't get, so ask God for help. I think what it was was God convicting you, so don't let guilt weigh you down, just ask God to forgive you and help you change. He only convicts us 'cause he cares about us, and he wants us to have a fulfilling life. He doesn't want you to feel guilty about it. He doesn't want you to have a void in your life. He wants to be part of your life, and he wants to help you live it to the full.
I think the problem with being a Christian in a capitalist society is that we can forget that everything that we've been given is not ours. It's only temporary, and somewhere along the line, it all came from God. And like the three servants with the talents, our master has given us gifts and resources to use, and one day he will return to see what we have done with those resources. I think that includes money and material possessions. So we should be responsible with what we have, but also generous, so that we don't value it higher than we should, and because we have it in perspective: money and material possessions will not go with us when we die. You have come to a very important crossroad in your life. You're coming to a realisation of what's really important. And what's really important is getting right with God, doing good things for other people, and filling that void in your life. Work on the first two, and the other will come. I hope that helps, bro.