Date: 6/9/2022
<br>Author: Mike Kelley
<br>Title: Mike's Minute
<br><br>Someone has said, “If you would be happy, keep your wants few and simple.”  There is a great deal of truth in that statement. Unhappiness comes when there is a gap between what we desire and what we have. <br><br>Our modern system of advertising says that happiness lies in having the newest, the best, the most luxurious of all kinds of all things. The system is designed to create more cravings in us than we could ever satisfy. But there is no way to have everything that you might conceivably want. <br><br>As someone else has said, “You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?” <br><br>True happiness is not having what you want. It is wanting what you have. Happiness is best achieved by controlling cravings, wants and desires... and keeping them in close range with what you have the ability to acquire. <br><br>The current news cycle is all about the high (and rising) cost of living. Christians ought to not only survive, but thrive, in this environment because we are taught by our Lord to live simple lives. We are taught to seek first His kingdom. We are taught to live one day at a time. We are taught not to worry about what we will eat or drink or wear. <br><br>With the skyrocketing cost of living, why don’t we plan to enjoy a simple summer. With gas prices nearing all time highs, maybe we should consider staying home more often. We can spend time with our families, get to know our neighbors, enjoy the yard and porch and patio. We can make our trips to worship the big events in our week. Folks used to live like that and they were happier than we are today. <br><br>Let’s also remember and remind others of the high cost of low living. What’s really inflating in our country is sin. Violence, unbelief, unfaithfulness, anger, selfishness, godlessness... these sins are costing us more than we could ever estimate. As Christians, let’s be done with low living!  <br><br>A simple summer for the Savior. I believe I can afford that!<br>