Sissy-Pants Faith

Paul's life:

5 times received 40 lashes, 3 times beaten, once stoned, 3 times shipwrecked, spent a night and day in the open sea, constantly on the move, in danger from rivers, bandits, his own countrymen, Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger at sea, and in danger from false brothers. Labored, toiled, went without sleep, knew hunger and thirst and often went without food, had been cold and naked...

My life:

Has gone without air conditioning, has had to make do with just plain ice cream when the hot fudge ran out, has had only 1 pillow to sleep on when the other was in the washing machine, has had to buy discount clothes from Ross because I'm on a budget, has had to get a water cup instead of soda, has to watch movies on my lap top because I don't have tv, has to read a book when my lap top is broken, which means I've had to go a week or two without knowing what happened on the last episode, has had people disagree with my opinion, has had to to move, has been exposed to people who don't shave or wear deodorant at boatnik, has had to read my regular Bible because I accidentally left my study Bible at church...

Needless to say, my life is clearly much more difficult than Paul's ever was. I sacrifice so much for the sake of the Gospel, I mean I even give 10% of my money to the church and at least once a week, I pray for others. And I'm sure you all agree with me wholeheartedly. But seriously, turning the sarcasm off, how much have I traded in sharing the Gospel for the sake of entertainment, comfort pleasure, and self ambition? So many times. My life is cluttered with selfishness. And it's a shame because God is real, the Gospel is Truth, and my life, other than how I spend my Sundays, doesn't seem to reflect that. Lord, change my daily activities, re-adjust my perspective in light of eternity, and take away the things that don't last.