Over the last few weeks Amber and I have been cleaning out closets. During this time I have hauled no less than 6-7 boxes (mostly of my PhD-wife's old school work) and 4 large trash bags to the street as well as 2 fairly impressive loads to goodwill. What I cannot figure out is how we accumulated all this junk. At some point we bought or created these once prized possessions, at some point they were "needed" and likely hunted via sale papers, saving accounts and credit cards. To be certain, we are by no means rich and able to buy new stuff whenever we please, so I can promise you that we do not buy whimsically (ok, sometimes I do). I can promise you that we are not hoarders... over the last five years Amber & I have moved five times, and every time we have downsized via garage sales, goodwill and trash (I wonder if the debunked theory of spontaneous generation is not so far off, or maybe somewhere in the walls of houses, escaped socks have secret ceremonies where they create cities of new junk from lint, spider webs and cat hair). Not surprisingly, as I sit here today, my mind has already wandered to thoughts of new golf bags, guitar effects and iPods. More stuff that will someday be trash... my treasured future-junk.
We are a race of dreamers, accomplishers and acquisitionists. We traversed the Atlantic, the West and the limits of our atmosphere on the way to the moon. We've moved from sundials to cell phones that automatically change time as you drive through time zones. From lighting on a kite to computers performing lifesaving operations... we will never stop working towards our next accomplishment. However, along with that our society tells us... change that... we tell ourselves that we must purchase the new lounge chair, motorcycle, car, computer, iPod... putting ourselves into debt for something new that we do not need. What is it that drives us so hard to do this? I'm sure there's a more complex answer, but I think a lot of it can be found in your downtime. What do you do when it's quiet? When there is nothing you have to do? Is the tv on? Are you linked-in via your computer or iPhone? Are you shopping for something to make you feel better? What fills your gaps? Think about this - God created us to be next to Him, and because of the fall we cannot have that same relationship that Adam & Eve did. What results is an emptiness where God was designed to be, but in our attempt to fill this void we layer it with pieces of future-junk... short term happiness that will soon find its way to the street corner. God is the ONLY long-term happiness. So, what is your next piece of future-junk?
p.s. - My Pastor said it best yesterday... "Jesus wants a relationship with you, but He doesn't want to date you, He wants a marriage". Just as your marriage would not last on one our per week, nor should you attempt the same with Jesus Christ. Give Him more. Junk the junk that keeps you away from God.
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