When is lack good? ...I'm not sure if it's ever "good," but it can do a great good. From the absence of something needed or desired, many qualities can be developed: appreciation, gratitude, growth, maturity, humility, compassion, perspective, drive, determination, wisdom, ambition, faith and patience. On the other hand, an individual can actually make whatever lack they've experienced be an excuse for what I call "fatal feelings": anger, greed, avarice, discontentment, jealousy, envy, dishonesty, foolishness, detachment, selfishness, moral degradation, contention, restlessness, and depression. I guess, like so many other things in life, it is a person's approach and attitude concerning the situation that make the difference in the emotions they give birth to. But I believe lack can be a very powerful and beneficial thing, a tool God can use to bring about endurance, miracles, and testimony.
In this country, most of us have it good regardless of our "lack" and have ample opportunity to progress and succeed. But being human as we are, we have all felt lack deep in our guts, sometimes as a gnawing hunger to be all we were meant to be, to finally attain what seems we have been endlessly yearning for, or to make a difference in our generation by offering something only we can give... to be able to leave our own unique and distinct mark on the world. Sometimes lack is perceived as a profound void that desperately longs to be filled. We all need love, romance, adventure, purpose, family, friendship, a sense of belonging, acknowledgment, financial freedom, peace... the list continues indefinitely. The priorities are different for everyone, and some people have very specific needs applicable to only themselves. Lack is a thing we all feel at some point and for various reasons, and it is only felt in areas that fall short of the vision we hold or aspire to, areas that are important and matter to us.
Growing up, I didn't lack in what I consider to be the most important things a child needs. I had the love of a tight-knit family, the care of an exceptional mother, the instilled belief in a Higher Power who protected me, health, shelter, education, friends, plenty of home-cooked meals (yum!), clothing, encouragement and affirmation. The lack of my biological father's presence is probably the most notable issue I had to face, and though it saddened me at times, I don't recall perpetually moping about it. Overall, I had it made!! The key factor, I think, is having sincere love in the home... with a dose of discipline! What I did see my mom consistently struggle with was financial lack. I'm sure many parents struggle with this, especially single mothers. I remember many times she'd be going from paycheck to paycheck. My mom would have given me the world if she could have!! What she doesn't realize is that she gave me something vastly better: a philosophy.
This is my philosophy in respect to money:
- Money can never define the intrinsic value of a person. In fact, I believe the force of its lack, if correctly harnessed, builds character and cultivates wisdom necessary to handle money more intelligently when it is present. Integrity is a much more valid factor in measuring a person's worth.
- Money comes and goes. Money cannot be relied upon. But to have the unconditional love and faithfulness of someone who will stick by you for better or worse.. aaahh! What a glorious possession!! A possession that cannot be bought. I would give up money for love any day... the words of a true romantic!
- Money is simply a form of exchange. There is no power in it except in the intention of its use. It can bless and build, and it can tear down and destroy.
- Money can always be made!! With creativity, confidence, dedication and determination, money is readily available. There is loads of it, why stress? Today you may be penniless, but tomorrow you could strike gold! That is the American Dream, isn't it? ...and I still believe in it.
- I will not die or whither away because of its lack. God is always faithful, and He has always provided for me. I have seen people waste too much precious time, myself included, being anxious as to its where-abouts, and what for? Being worried won't add a single day of life to me; it just might take some life away LOL!
- Money is a good thing to have, and I believe God wants us to have it in abundance... as long as we control it, and it doesn't consume us.
I don't have much of it right now.. and I don't know that I care to have ridiculous amounts of it... though I wouldn't mind ;) I do know that I want to eventually be debt free and have enough to live comfortably and have an excess of it to help my family and loved ones and those in need. In the meantime, I am determined to be happy along the way, and I will never let it become my source of joy or my identity. Lack can truly BITE and suck major! However, I am grateful for my lack. It has taught me to be strong and to be thankful. And it applies to any aspect of life, especially to the things that are much more significant than money! Think about it.. if you always had everything you wanted, without any effort or wait, how could you really appreciate those things to their deserving degree? Would you ever strive for anything higher than yourself? Could you ever sympathize or empathize with anyone when they are going through a hardship, if you have never gone through any lack of your own? Could there ever be miracles if everything was already perfect? And what testimony could you ever share with someone in order to lift their spirits, if you have never overcome any personal difficulties? Lack was never meant to be permanent, but I will let it do its work so that like the apostle Paul I can say, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength." -Philippians 4:12-13
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