When Everything is Gone!

The last time I wrote this Pastor’s Devotion blog, I was on a plane, on my way to Leon, Nicaragua with a team of ten people.  Well, we arrived at the airport safely, made it through immigration and customs without a hitch, and picked up our minibus for the week.  Since it was lunchtime (actually past our lunchtime), we stopped where I have stopped dozens of times in the past: a Tip Top chicken restaurant within a little strip mall on the way out of Managua.  It was there that the “fun” began!

As we were getting out of the vehicle to go into the restaurant, some of us decided to leave our backpacks on the floor and under the seats of the bus rather than take them in with us.  Even our driver did the same. We figured they would be out of sight, it was broad daylight, and the parking lot had a guard.  In the past, however, I have never done this. I’ve always taken my backpack with me. I knew better! 

I’m sure you know where this story is going.  When we finished eating and got back out to the minibus, we found that one of the locks had been broken and the thieves took whatever was close enough to grab. Four of us had our stuff taken.  In my backpack were my iPad, new headphones, iPod Nano, glasses, and my passport—along with a whole bunch of personal items.  In one moment all of it was taken. Before I knew it, everything was gone!

Over the next week or so, while in Nicaragua and now back here at home, I’ve had to replace certain things. I had to get a new backpack in Leon and some personal items that I needed. I got a new passport from the U.S. Embassy in Managua. And, I had to purchase a new pair of glasses the day after returning. Some items I’ll be able to replace, others probably not for a while. 

All of this reminded me of how dependent and how attached we can become to our possessions.  Without my backpack, iPad, glasses, etc. I felt almost naked, even a bit empty.  I had to figure out how to function without the things upon which I depend on an almost daily basis.  I came to realize just how much I lean upon certain things for my work, for my pleasure, and sometimes for comfort.  I had to ask myself, what happens to me when everything is gone? 

    With the kids in Troilo, Nicaragua 

At the same time I came to see that there were and are certain things that the thieves could not take from us:  the presence of God—which became very real for all of us during this trip; the blessing of relationships—which only grew among our team; the blessing of being a blessing to the people whom we seek to serve—which became very evident as we ministered and served over the next week.  There are some things in life no one can ever take from us.

Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 – NIV)

When everything is gone, there are some things that remain!

Have a great day!

Pastor Tim Harris