Boxes and Boxes of Stuff!
I can hardly imagine what moving must be like for the couple who has lived in the same house for thirty, forty, or fifty years! We have been in the same house for just over twelve years and it is taking us a full three weeks to prepare to move. This has included cleaning out closets, the garage, and the attic. We have been sorting through twelve years worth of paperwork, photos, toys, clothing, kitchenware, etc. We have thrown out what we no longer need, donated to the Salvation Army and Goodwill bags of clothing and items too good to throw away, and boxed what we are going to keep. At this point, the house is filled with dozens upon dozens of boxes.
After a while, one can begin to feel as if their whole life is represented by the boxes that fill the house – and the stuff that fills those boxes. I guess, it isn’t until a time such as this that we end up realizing how much stuff we actually have – and how much we can probably do without. I think most of us can admit that in our culture, we end up accumulating many more things than we actually need. Worse yet, is that too often we define ourselves by that which we have accumulated.
Jesus said, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15-NIV) He then goes on to say, “Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:33-34 – NIV)
Each of us needs to remember that life is so much more than what we can put into boxes. The really important stuff of life can’t be packed up and moved from one place to the next. Rather, that which really counts are the immaterial aspects of our lives – our relationships with family and friends; the happiness we bring to one another by the good that we do; the mercy, grace and love that we share with one another. Ultimately the only things that will be moved with us from this life into the next are those which count towards eternity.
So in the midst of all the stuff and the boxes of our lives, let’s be sure to live for the true and eternal treasures of life.
Have a great day!
-Pastor Harris
After a while, one can begin to feel as if their whole life is represented by the boxes that fill the house – and the stuff that fills those boxes. I guess, it isn’t until a time such as this that we end up realizing how much stuff we actually have – and how much we can probably do without. I think most of us can admit that in our culture, we end up accumulating many more things than we actually need. Worse yet, is that too often we define ourselves by that which we have accumulated.
Jesus said, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." (Luke 12:15-NIV) He then goes on to say, “Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Luke 12:33-34 – NIV)
Each of us needs to remember that life is so much more than what we can put into boxes. The really important stuff of life can’t be packed up and moved from one place to the next. Rather, that which really counts are the immaterial aspects of our lives – our relationships with family and friends; the happiness we bring to one another by the good that we do; the mercy, grace and love that we share with one another. Ultimately the only things that will be moved with us from this life into the next are those which count towards eternity.
So in the midst of all the stuff and the boxes of our lives, let’s be sure to live for the true and eternal treasures of life.
Have a great day!
-Pastor Harris
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