Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
If I asked you what your prized possessions are I wonder what you'd say? My dad collected elephants. I'm not sure how he started his collection years ago, but over the years he accumulated many of them. Since he passed away my mom has given each of us kids part of his collection.
Last night was a night to remember. We went to our friends' house to see them for one of the last times before they leave for New York. They are part of a group from our church who are going there to plant another church. They are an amazing family who is living out their faith in a way that is so inspiring to me. We've watched them truly Pray and Trust God through every decision along the way that led to this move. They have been in the process of getting rid of 25 years worth of accumulated memories and "stuff' so they can fit it in their small apartment in NYC. As we walked through their home last night it was sad to me. On their ping pong table were all of their baby shoes (you know, those white leather shoes) and shoe boxes holding all of their pictures. They've been able to sell most of the furniture they won't be able to use and now it's getting down to the final decisions. FYI: I read an article in the New York Times stating how much money is spent on storage units. It's amazing! Our friends refuse to store anything. She is trying to figure out how to take her Grandmother's baby doll stroller and he is struggling with a cartoon magazine collection.
So it made me think. What do I really care about? What are my prized possessions? I think it's time to take an inventory. I am really not a pack rat, but if it came down to it, and God called me to drop everything...
1). Would I listen?
2). Would I trust it was really Him?
3). Would I be able to leave my stuff?
4). Would I walk the walk?
5). Would I have the kind of peace that surpasses all understanding?
6). Would I be able to convince my family to join me?
7). Would I be paralyzed by fear?
8). Would I make the right decision as to what is important to save?
9). Would I follow Him?
10). Or... would I wrestle with God like the elephants in the picture above?
I hope I would say, "Here I Am, Lord".
I admire my friends and will miss them like crazy!
Hope your day is full of Peace,
Angie xoxo
8 comments:
This is a very thought provoking post. I'll have to search my heart and ask the Lord to search me. That is so difficult. I do put things away in fire proof, water proof places that I want to keep. I think of so many who lose things in an instant due to floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. They did not have time to choose but are so thankful to have their lives spared. This makes me think of the scriptures that say the things of this earth are temporary, but the Word of God is forever. (Luke 21:33; James 1:10-11; Is. 40:6-8; 1 Peter 1:24-25)
I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings in Christ--
That's something I will pondering in the days ahead. Because I know that I cling too much to temporary things.
I've seen and heard too many things over the past few weeks to remind me what truly is precious. Life changes in the blink of an eye. Yet, "God's hand will save."
The song echoes through my heart. I too want to go.
blessings to you, sister.
love,
karen
A huge step for your friends and a thought producing post!
Ang,
It is very thought provoking. I certainly hope I would do it for God if He asked me to. I was once in a situation where I left with my kids and barely more than the clothes on our back, so I know I would do it for my kids, and I certainly hope I would do it if God asked me to. A lot of people don't understand ever doing that and I've actually had people question how I could leave without this or that, but those things are just stuff!!
Blessings
Michelle
Moving certainly is an excellent way to discover if we can let go of things. My husband, son and I moved almost 5 years ago now to the home we are currently living in - but it meant down-sizing big time! We literally had to get rid of rooms of furniture. It was a great lesson in letting go. It was a wonderful time of discovering what truly was valuable.
Your questions are so soul searching. I am going to use them as part of my prayer time and ask the Lord to examine my heart. I long to be able to echo the words in Steven Curtis Chapman's song, "I will abandon it all, for the sake of the call".
Praying for you as you say good-bye to some special friends,
Joy
Ang.
Your post sure has made me think... See four years ago I walked away from the Mormon Church and when I did I lost a lot of friends, and I have famiy that won't talk to me, and they ignore as much as they can, but I pray for them, and I know I was called out by God and I followed... Then 2 years ago my husband and I and Candice my youngest was caled to Ky, we left my three oldest children and 3 Grandkids and two son-inlaws behind... That was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I know God was calling and I went... I sold half my house... I moved to a much smaller house... So I know if God was calling me I would go...
Thank you for this post...
YOu are in my prayers...
Connie
GBU
Thanks for the gentle reminder...of whats truly important! My we strive to remember it always and to always be ready to say "Here I am!"
Is that John Michael Talbot singing? I love that song and have asked myself the same question, "Would I be obedient?" We are His hands and feet. He provides so beautifully and satisfies like no other. God uses you mightily, Angie. Much love, Annette
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