cropped-rose-white-and-pinkLuke 12:15, “Beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses”

1 Peter 2:11, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”
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Many vacation travelers take along too many things. They pack more shoes, clothes, and gadgets than they will ever need. Their mindset is, “I better not forget anything because I can’t go home and get it.” They would be far better off if they asked, “How much can I get along without?” We’re so inclined to accumulate far too many possessions on our journey through this life. We’re bombarded with ads that urge us to purchase things we “just can’t live without and things we don’t need.” What do we do? We buy more things until we have no room left.

So, the question is, “Are you a pack rat?” That is do you tend to accumulate and hold on to “things” that you really don’t need or have any use for. Those “things” that has been taking up essential space in your basement or garage, for so many years that you can’t remember what’s there? If you’re not a “Pack Rat” maybe you know someone who is and one who just can’t let their things go.

My neighbor was telling me that he has to once again clean out his garage. He said, “It meant making some painful decisions” and that he had accumulated enough junk to make a pack rat blush. He told me that something had to go because he couldn’t get his car in the garage. He mentioned in its place were the leftover remains of a few home repair jobs, broken tools and toys were hanging on the walls. Then he mentioned all those old tires that his wife kept asking him why he was keeping them. He finally did it! He got rid of the junk and clutter that was taking up valuable space. Now he can get his car in and he didn’t even miss what he had gotten rid of.
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Further reflection

My brethren, talking to him and his experience of clutter reminded me of the above Scriptures. The apostle Peter suggested that the children of God have been made for a purpose as recorded for us in 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” However, we can lose sight of this very purpose if our lives become cluttered with sinful desires and worldly concerns (1 Peter 2:11-12).

I don’t know about you, but once in a while, I begin to lose sight of the purpose for which God saved me. I let my life get cluttered with non-essentials. That’s why I have to keep asking Christ to help me make space for Him, in much the same way my neighbor made room in the garage for his car. And I’m finding, to my deep satisfaction, that when I let go of the clutter in my life and do the things that are important to Jesus Christ, I really don’t miss all the other junk that had to go. My brethren, we must remember that life is more than the things we store. Besides, you’ll have to leave it all behind when you depart this earth!

If I gained the world but not the Savior;
Would my gain be worth the lifelong strife?
Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing;
For a moment with a Christ-filled life? – Olander
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You’re in trouble when the things you own begin to own you.