By Lois Hewitt

The other day I was struggling to explain my faith to a friend. Sometimes the words flow like a summer’s steam and other times not at all and are as barren as the desert floor. I was definitely in the desert.

I wanted to explain that the dark hours in our lives provide the deepest gratitude for the new dawn. I wanted to explain how having want is a blessing of gratitude for what you have. I wanted to explain that the wonderful days are only wonderful because of the days that aren’t. I want to explain the beauty of total dependence on God.

The problem I saw was that these truths in my life are the complete opposite of those of the world. The world says you are a success if your house is big, your car is fast, your clothes have designer labels and your bank account is overflowing. I have none of those things and yet feel my life is quite successful.

We are bombarded with ideals and concepts aimed at feeding egos and emotions. It’s now normal to talk about how many figures in your income, how diverse your portfolio and how many side hustles you have. Exotic vacations and outrageous jewelry are a goal to strive for.

Please do not misunderstand me, I know God does not mind the “good life” for His children. He promises us to overflow our cups. But if those things interfere with your relationship with Him, there is a problem.

Many spiritual doctrines today preach about manifesting what you want in life and then actively seeking those things. Is that a bad thing? Well yes because you are working with your own abilities and power to manifest those things.

For me, and I only know me, I do much better in life, I have more peace and joy in life, I have more gratitude in life and I have more to give in life if I have less. For me, and only me, I have learned to recognize the absolute need for dark times. For me if everyday was ponies and candy apples, I would be ungrateful and unhealthy.

So back to my conversation, how do I make a life with less seem even better than a life with excess? That day I could not make it sound better. I was ineffective at every turn.

Realizing that maybe it would just be better to cut my losses and move on, I explained one last truth in my life. I was really good at sinning. I would have been an Olympic contender in sinning, if there was such a thing. I knew all about greed, entitlement, excess and so much more. When I “had it all” I actually had nothing. I was an empty shell. When I lost it all, the worst that could happen according to the world, I gained everything. That was what I needed to say.

I was trying to discuss Theology and all I needed to say was the God saved me. All the other stuff is not important. God took a life that was as dry and lifeless as a desert floor and turned it into something full of grace, mercy, gratitude and purpose. I can never out talk anyone on Theological ideals but I can tell them about a God who took the lowest of the low and made them a child of God.

This is a difficult world we live in and there are so many who just want to discredit God. Nothing means more to them then to run Christians down. That’s what happens, look at how Jesus was treated.

So I realized that it is not necessary to know Theology. Words are important but living a Godly life is my best testimony. Even when I frequently stumble, God’s amazing Grace picks me up. That is true success. No other metric will do.

Yes, I prefer less. I don’t have a high status or a huge bank account. I know the sadness is part of the joy. It’s hard to verbalize in a world conditioned for more more more but a life worth living is truly the best success and that only comes from God.