Living in Excess

I read a book recently that really got me thinking, so here are those thoughts::

We live in a world of consumers. There are so few things in life that I have wanted for—and literally none that I have needed for. It’s haunting. Never have I known the cold of winter without also knowing the warmth of a coat. Never have I known a pang of hunger without also knowing the sweet smell of food on the table. Never have I known the feeling of threadbare clothes without also knowing the feeling of brand-new material against my skin.

And sometimes, it makes me feel sick.

When is the last time you dropped a few dollars on some unnecessary snack or drink? When was your last impulse buy? When was the last time you went to Wal-Mart or Kroger and picked up a few things that weren’t exactly on your list? When was the last time you bought a new pair of jeans or a shirt because they just looked good on you?

I’m only asking you because I’ve been asking myself these questions a lot over the past couple weeks, and even now—after I’ve already asked them at least 20 times—I still feel guilty at my answers.

Because I am so very, very privileged, and I am so very, very ashamed to say that I rarely even notice.

Tonight, I will go to bed stuffed to the point of bursting with food and sleep soundly with the knowledge that I will wake up in the morning to the smell of breakfast and the love of my family. How few people have that luxury—a luxury I am as sure of as each breath I take.

When I moved into college, do you know what I was upset about? The fact that I didn’t have bottled water. Bottled water. I wish I were kidding. While I fussed over the fact that I had to drink tap water, a girl on the other side of the world was dying because the water she drank was full of bacteria. A girl who—but for the grace of God and maybe chance circumstances—could very well have been me. There is a girl somewhere in even this town tonight who doesn't have clothes that keep her warm enough to stop her from shivering. She also could have been me. All over this world, millions of people just like me need what I take for granted.

This world that I live in is full to brim. With stress, with people, and (most of all) with stuff. And it is all just so much. How on Earth can I expect Jesus to increase while I am constantly increasing? He must become greater, and I must become less.

I want to learn how to be less.

So I read this book. 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker. This woman is real, honest, and so on point. She found seven areas of her life that were overpowered by the muchness of the world, and she spent a month on each of those areas trying to fix them.

[[1]] Too many clothes? Only wear seven pieces of clothing for a month.

[[2]] Spending too much money? Spend money in only seven places for a month.

[[3]] Producing too much waste? Adopt seven “greener” habits for a month.

[[4]] Eating too much food? Only eat seven foods for a month.

[[5]] Have too many possessions? Give away seven things a day for a month.

[[6]] Spending too much time on social media? Turn off seven types of media for a month.

[[7]] Too much stress? Observe seven daily pauses with prayer for a month.

That’s the book—written essentially in diary format. Let me tell you, folks, it is wonderful. I laughed out loud; I even cried a little. And most importantly—I was convicted. Because this life is just a breath, a point on the map of eternity. In my cluttered world, I can barely see beyond the four walls that surround me.

What kind of joy waits on the other side of my excess? Where might simplicity take me, if I chose to pursue it?

Let’s find out, shall we?

During Summer 2015, I’ll do my own experimental mutiny against excess. [[I’d start it now, but I’m a freshman in college and I really just don’t think I’d be able to maintain my sanity. Sorry, world.]] In the meantime, I encourage—no, I implore you—to pick up 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker. If you don’t want to buy it, talk to me, and I will let you borrow my copy. Or I’ll buy you one. For realz. Just say you saw my blog post and you want the book. I can make it happen. ;)

And so, wonderful humans who happen to read this, I leave you with this quote from Jen Hatmaker herself:

“As I reduce, He is enough. As I simplify, He is enough… In my privileged world where ‘need’ and ‘want’ have become indistinguishable, my only true requirement is the sweet presence of Jesus.”

May this always, always, always be true for me.

[[Side note:: I know this isn’t a real Thanksgiving-y post; there is one coming—I promise. Because even though I live in a world of excess, I am indescribably thankful for the life I lead. And I am even more thankful for those to whom I belong.]]