This world is not my home, I'm just a travelling through; my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue...
If the words of this gospel song are true, how have we accumulated so much stuff? The Scriptures tell us that, as God's people, we are "strangers in the world," aliens, foreigners, just traveling through this world. Our true citizenship is in heaven. Our allegiance, our values and our way of life need to reflect the heavenly kingdom, our true destiny and our home. Yet it is very hard not to get unduly attached to our stuff. It is hard to travel light.
We are in the midst of moving. Last spring my wife had an accident and shattered her shoulder. This required extensive surgery and she is still in rehab. The injury is healing well, but it has forced us to think of downsizing.
One of our daughters spent the summer with us, helping us go through the house, preparing for a move. At least 50 bags or boxes went out - given to family or friends, to thrift stores or taken to recycling or the dump.
In early December we found a place that suited our needs and put our home on the market. Five days later we had a firm offer and began the process of packing.
In 18 years we have accumulated a lot of stuff, much of which we will not need in our new home. Since Christmas we have been busy finding people who can use what we no longer need - an air-hockey game to a local charity, couch and love seat to a student moving into an apartment, greenhouse and garden tools to friends on an acreage, a car-topper and a bed to a family with five children.
It has actually been fun. I am the hoarder in the family and like to hang on to things for sentimental reasons. My wife's mantra is, "If in doubt, throw it out."
One of our daughters asked about an item, "Do you really love it?" If not, it is expendable. We realize we still have too much stuff.
In some cases we are not sure what we will need in our new setting, but I especially am reluctant to let things go. It's hard to travel light.
Jesus told us not to worry about food or clothing or the necessities of life, but to seek God's kingdom and trust our heavenly Father for our needs. Paul tells how he has learned to be content, whatever the circumstances, whether he has plenty or is in need. He tells Timothy that "godliness with contentment is great gain. ... but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."
He goes on to warn us against the love of money and the pursuit of riches which can lead to ruin.
This move is forcing us to face our attachment to things. We are traveling lighter, but we still have much to learn.
