One of those days

So today was one of those days where stuff just doesn't go right. It happens. But thankfully today is over and I will never have to go back and live it again. But along with the bad stuff, there is almost always good to be had. I met a guy from Israel this evening in a mall selling skin care products from the Dead Sea. We had a fascinating conversation that focused primarily on the current situation in Israel, as well as the Messiah of Israel, Yeshua. At one point in the conversation I said to him, "It is an absolute miracle that you are here having this conversation with me, because no other people on the face of the earth have experienced as much suffering and persecution as yours...it is by the power of God that Israel exists today as a nation". We went on to talk about the similarities and differences between Judaism and Christianity, the many denominations within Christendom, and Bible prophecy. Another insight that I gathered from talking with this guy was that we Americans live lives that are far better in quality than most of the rest of the world. I know this, but it's easy to forget and was good to be reminded of that. He told me that when he served as a soldier in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force, has a 2 year compulsory service obligation by all males in Israel) that he made $140 a month. That is absurd! I asked him, "How did you live on that little?" "You barely survive" he replied. Compare that with what I make as an E-5 in the U.S. military, and the difference is quite staggering. But that got me thinking. How much money do you really need to survive? Is it possible to live in America on as little as $1000 a month, or less? Up until recently I would have said "no way!" But I'm starting to think differently. A lot of it has to do with your quality of life, not necessarily your quantity of life. Jesus said in Luke 12:15, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." So if our life does not consist of what we have physically, than what does it consist of? And why then do I put so much emphasis on what I have or don't have? These are questions I've been pondering. Now of course there is nothing wrong with having things, but it seems that when we have as much as we Americans do, we tend to lose sight of what life is really about. It's not about stuff, it's about service. It's not about equity, it's about experiences. It's not about resources, but relationships. There will be more on this to come, but for now I'm trying to figure out how to live a life that is not defined by the possessions I own, but rather on the God whom I serve.

Also, I'm going to be looking into doing some traveling to Israel. I've been wanting to go for a long time, and talking with my new Israeli friend this evening sparked my interest even more. He told me that the Golan Heights in his opinion is the most beautiful place in the world. It all sounds very exciting.

So, all in all, the day didn't turn out all that bad after all! Plus, I even got some nice corduroy pants on sale for $10.