Is there Room for a Baby in Your Closet?

A couple of months ago this happened:

 

And then this happened:  

 

And then I got thinking. 

(anyone who knows me well will be aware of what a dangerous occupation this can be)

Once upon a time I was a seven-year old who wanted to be a wildlife vet and begged her parents to let her become vegetarian. Once upon a later date I was a fourteen-year old who couldn't fathom doing anything else with her life other than continuing to serve the poor and make a way for justice and peace in the world (preferably by becoming the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights).

A deep love and respect for our beautiful planet and the beautiful animals and people who live on it has been woven through the fibers of my heart for most of my life. And I don't think I'm alone in that. I believe that as humans, there's something within us geared towards caring for our environment and fellow creatures. In our Christian faith, we're drenched (should we allow ourselves to be) in the magnificence of our role as stewards of the Earth: charged with safeguarding it and enabling it to be fruitful.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend it and keep it. 

Genesis 2:15 

But I begin to wonder to what extent we (like the Steward of Gondor in the Lord of the Rings) have lost touch with the meaning of that role. 

In observing my own attitude towards stewardship over the last few months, I've noticed a tendency towards willful ignorance in things like materialism - I'll simply acquire clothes for the sake of having more and looking better. I don't investigate where my food or goods come from; whether slave labour has been employed or whether the products used are causing irrevocable damage to the planet. When I ask myself if something is 'modest', I'm referring to its length and coverage rather than questioning whether it's in keeping with the spirit of humility that refrains from acquiring excess. 

The more I observe the blase, cumulatively destructive way I interact with the world, the more infuriated I become with myself. I realize that so much of what I do - specifically, so much of how I spend my money - seeks only to pamper my pride rather than point back to the beauty of the Creator.

As Stewards of the Earth and restless hearts that will only rest in Christ, I think we're called to something more than the blithe, blind consumerism that colours the worldview of the masses. I truly believe that the poor in heart - those who lay down everything for the Lord and come to Him with empty hands - are blessed. 

Material goods aren't bad in themselves, but I know that, for me at least, they often act as strings tying me to stress, insecurity and jealousy. The most freedom I've ever felt in my life has been in the times when I've had the least: only two open hands and an open heart ready to receive from the Lord and give to others.

So this Advent I'm trying something new. As Christ's birth approaches, I'm adamant that I don't want to be the innkeeper who turns Him away at the door, too full of possessions and relationships and myself to welcome the Light of the World. I would rather be poor, empty and unworthy of notice than forget to cherish the only treasure worth having. 

Recognizing, though, that I a very flawed human being and need to take things in baby steps, I'm not giving away everything I own (just yet). But I've tried to make room for baby Jesus in my closet this Advent by cutting down to Fifty or Fewer  wearable items (clothing, shoes and accessories - underwear not included).

To tell you the truth, it was pretty hard. When I set the goal for myself, the number fifty sounded enormous and totally easy to get down to. But then I started counting. 

In counting, in making piles to give to charity, in detaching from so many meaningless things that had made me feel some sort of shallow satisfaction with who I was, I realized something: my identity is not in these things. 

I started this stewardship challenge because I wanted to change the world in a tiny way, and maybe invite others to join me so that the tiny contribution could become a slightly less tiny one. However, the reason I invite you to join me today is bigger than that. Yes, we want to change the world. We want to be good stewards of that which has been entrusted to us. But at the end of the day, the ultimate stewardship is renewing right relationship between creation and the Creator. 

In purging my life of some of its excesses and rediscovering how little any of it meant in the first place, I found myself falling deeply in love with God. The "poorer" I became in material goods, the richer His majesty shone. The less I defined myself by the dresses I owned, the more I allowed my identity to rest on the fact that I am loved beyond my wildest dreams by the author of love Himself.

And the more room I cleared in my closet, the more room I made for an infant to arrive this Advent. 

My friend, I pray that this Christmas your heart and your life may have space set aside for Christ. Maybe it's not your closet that needs clearing; maybe it's friendships or relationships that you define yourself by instead of looking to God for validation; maybe it's a wealth of achievements that you can't help but brag about. 

Whatever you end up noticing; whatever area of stewardship you choose to focus on, my only request is that you look for a way to make room for a babe. Be open to simplicity this Advent.

I know we're all at different places on our journeys, so I don't think your stewardship challenge needs to  look the same as mine. If you're game for it, go further than I've gone! Or if, in counting your wardrobe, you realize that fifty is a terrifyingly small fraction of your current closet, go gently on yourself. The point is not blind extremism for its own sake. 

The true point is threefold: 

Firstly, to recognize the dignity of the poor, of the planet and of all creation and commit to becoming part of the solution to the challenges they face. 

Secondly, to get out of our comfort zone of consumerism and take the chance to turn away from what the world expects. 

Thirdly, to allow the Lord to transform you in love. 

I'll be praying for you. 

God bless,

Kate xxx

AMDG