Two years ago Steven and I decided to create more margin in our life so that we could have more time and finance to do the things that we believe God wants us to do. We looked at what we really needed. Since he travels and I was the only one wandering around in our large home, we decided to downsize our home, which also means we had to downsize our stuff.
We joined our community yard sale to get rid of some of our things we knew wouldn’t fit in a smaller home. Soon I realized – these things weren’t just any things. They were my things! I had no idea that I was so attached to my things. As things began to sell I found myself getting emotional. I know it seems silly, but I loved my stuff. I had no idea that I really loved my things that much! After all, it’s just material possessions. You know, the stuff that fades away and has no real lasting eternal value other than my pleasure, my happiness and joy and…my things
While I was crying over my things, I heard God say to me, Robin, remember, you said you were willing to give up things that you love for something you love more.
Yup! I remember telling God that. I have to tell you, two years later, I still get homesick for my things. I have to remind myself that the “something” I love more is the people God has given to us to do life with, the church we are planted in and the calling God has on our life. The things we now enjoy may not be material, but they have far more worth. As we build relationships with people instead of our things, God has once again filled our life with so much more that we could have ever expected.
We are not of this world and clinging to things that have no eternal value but to please ourselves is hollow and lonely. Consider today what you may be attached to that perhaps God is saying, surrender it all to me and watch to see what I will do for you?
They do not belong to this world any more than I do.Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. John 17:16-18
“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” Robert Kennedy
