What’s Truly Important? Lessons from Galdora and the Kingdom of God
- Tammy Fager
- 5 hours ago
- 6 min read
Do Not Love the World: Finding Freedom in Contentment and Christ
“In a world full of materialism and distractions, how do we live out 1 John 2:15-17 and truly seek first the kingdom of God?”
We live in a world obsessed with the next big thing. The shinier, the newer, the more impressive — it pulls at us constantly. Are you living for Christ, or are you chasing the next
gadget, the bigger house, the perfect image, or the next business win? In the West especially, we’ve become master consumers.
Gadgets and gizmos aplenty, as a certain Little Mermaid once sang. But at what cost?
A Warning from Galdora: Life in the Capital City
In my upcoming Christian fantasy novel, Beyond the Mirror’s Edge, the grand Capital City of Galdora stands as a warning. Its people have been blinded by material abundance. Fancy
clothes, glittering jewels, elaborate hairstyles, and an endless parade of luxuries consume
their days. They measure success and happiness by what they accumulate. The next shiny thing is always calling, and they answer without hesitation.
Meanwhile, in the outlying lands, life looks very different. The people there haven’t been blinded. They live by what truly matters: love for one another, deep peace, and lasting joy. They walk in the fruits of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Their priorities haven’t been twisted by,"stuff" but they have to work to keep the evil desires from encroaching into their lives.
Sound familiar?
The Apostle John speaks directly to this danger in 1 John 2:15-17:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Far too many of us today are living like the citizens of Galdora, caught up in the desires of the eyes (all those shiny things we see and want) and the pride of life (status, success, and appearances). We scroll, we shop, we compare, and we worry about our possessions, entertainment, business growth, or politics. These things can quickly become idols that blind us to what’s eternal.
Instead we should work on practicing contentment and gratitude with whereever God has
placed us.
Earlier in the same chapter, John reminds us of our identity in Christ (1 John 2:12-14): our sins are forgiven, we know the Father, we are strong because the word of God abides in us, and we have overcome the evil one. That’s the firm foundation we stand on — not the fleeting treasures of this world.
Jesus echoes this truth:“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)
And:“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for. yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV)
God doesn’t want us distracted and blinded. He wants us free! Free to love Him fully and love others well. Free to experience the real abundance that comes from walking with Him, not from accumulating more stuff.
A Gentle Check for Your Heart
Take a quiet moment and ask yourself:
What am I chasing most right now?
Where is my time, money, and mental energy going?
Am I storing up treasures on earth, or in heaven?
Are the fruits of the Spirit evident in my daily life, or have they been crowded out by busyness and consumption?
Remember, this is not about rejecting all material things. That is definitely not the point — God gives us good and precious gifts to enjoy. The danger comes when those gifts become our focus and our identity. The people of Galdora forgot who they were created for. Let’s not make the same mistake. Instead, let’s receive every good gift with open hands and a heart full of gratitude.
What is currently distracting you from what God would like you to be doing? Is it the constant pull of social media, the chase for more possessions or success, worry over politics and current events, or simply the busyness of everyday life?
These distractions can quietly steal our focus, time, and energy away from the meaningful work, relationships, and Kingdom purposes God has for us. Pausing to identify them honestly is a powerful first step toward real freedom and fruitfulness.
learning to be content and striving to not love the world
Daily Realignment: Start your morning seeking God first. A simple prayer, time in Scripture, or quiet reflection can reset your priorities before the world starts shouting.
Gratitude Over Greed: Regularly thank God for what you already have. Gratitude crowds out the “I need more” mentality and helps us truly enjoy His good gifts.
Generosity as Worship: Use what God has given you to bless others. Giving breaks the power of stuff over our hearts.
Community that Points to Christ: Surround yourself with people who live by the fruits of the Spirit, those who remind you what’s truly important when you start drifting toward Galdora (materialistic) thinking.
Choose Contentment: Learn to be content right where you are, with what God has already provided. As Paul wrote, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). When we rest in His provision instead of constantly striving for more, we find true peace and freedom.
We were made for more than endless consumption. We were made for a relationship with the King of Kings. When we keep our eyes fixed on Him, choose contentment in what He has given, and receive His good gifts with gratitude, the shiny distractions lose their grip.
Peace and joy become our normal, not the exception. "The world and its desires are passing away, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.“Living out these truths from 1 John 2 helps us overcome materialism and walk in daily Christian contentment.”
Discussion Questions
In what ways do you see “Galdora thinking” (the constant chase for more stuff, status, or entertainment) showing up in your own life or in our culture today?
Read 1 John 2:15-17 along with Matthew 6:19-21 and 6:33. Which “desires of the eyes” or “pride of life” tend to pull your heart away from seeking God’s kingdom first? What practical step could you take this week to shift that focus?
The people in the outlying lands lived by the fruits of the Spirit. Which fruit do you feel is strongest in your life right now, and which one do you sense God inviting you to grow in?
How can we enjoy the good gifts God gives us (nice things, technology, hobbies, etc.) without letting them blind us or become idols?
Who is one person in your life (or in our Journey Groups) who helps keep you grounded in what’s truly important? How can you be that kind of influence for others?
What does choosing contentment look like for you right now? What is one area where you can practice being thankful for what God has already given instead of striving for more?
What about you? Are you living in the Capital, or in the outlying lands of faith? I’d love to hear how you’re choosing to seek the Kingdom first and live contentedly in your everyday life.
Drop a comment below or join the conversation in our Journey Groups.
Lord, help us see clearly. Remove anything that blinds us to You. Teach us to store treasures in heaven, choose contentment in Your provision, and live by the fruit of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If the premise of my upcoming book intrigues you, be sure to keep an eye out for "Beyond the Mirror’s Edge" — I can’t wait to share the full story with you.
Learn more about our exciting out-of-the-box ministry here
Meet the author and Her Partner in Faith:
Tammy and Bruce have been married for 39 years, navigating life as best friends and partners in faith. Their days are a beautiful of service and creativity: Tammy serves her community as an active EMT when she isn't on the road, while Bruce, a retired Law Enforcement officer, is the visionary artist behind God’s Country Art.
Between the adrenaline of emergency medicine and the peace of the open road, Tammy is a lifelong writer currently preparing to publish her debut Christian Fantasy novel, Beyond the Mirror’s Edge.
Together, they are devoted parents and grandparents who find God’s handiwork in everything—from a life-saving moment in the field to a quiet piece of hand-carved wood. Whether through fellowship with others online at Your Jesus Journey, or a campfire chat at a new campsite, they are committed to sharing the love of Christ one mile at a time.
You can see some of Bruce's handiwork at Godscountryart.com