THINGS I DON’T HAVE

Paper and ink are not enough to express fully the things I don’t have in life. The scarcity of the material items I wish I had is so embarrassing to be exposed here.  I have been raised in a society, just like most of us, which sadly believe happiness is conceived in monitory terms, the more acquisition of money and materials, the better life is. Sounds misleading yet a lot of people are in bondage pursuing happiness in materialistic things. The craving for latest smartphones, better life, clothes and pleasure should largely be blamed on the society.

The society measures the success of a man in possession of certain materials attained. For me to be happy and respected, I have to work hard in life. Such expectation levelled on me is based on a faulty premise. It ignites and arouses wrong passions for things to be adored and loved beyond permissible boundaries. Things were created to be used not loved; we are using people to get things to quench our thirsty for materialistic gratification.

I know I don’t have enough things because society has taught me to compare with others. I work hard to get things to be like my neighbor, find a sense of worth and acceptance. The appetite for more things offers temporary solutions to fill the void and emptiness of life. On the quest of gaining for more things I wish I had, it has made me forget what I already have. I have sacrificed time, friends, sleep and joy. The madness of wanting for more kills the spirit of gratitude.

Why don’t I have the things I wish I had? Contemplating this question made me realize I was asking the wrong question. It is not because I don’t work hard, nor I am not ambitious rather lacked clarity on my purpose for pursuing more. I would acquire few things yet the urge for more refuses to die. If the acquisition of material things and happiness is understood from a more spiritual angle, the society would appreciate that contentment and satisfaction in individuals arise from living for others.  “ since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is…Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” Colossians 3:1-2.  I don’t have enough things because I haven’t stopped living a life of others,   pursued dreams to conform to the society’s expectations and have been distracted from appreciating what I already have.