As I prepare to move out of my apartment, and pack to move to Guatemala, I have a new appreciation for the meaning of 'stuff' in our lives. Webster's dictionary says the meaning of stuff is: "property, as personal belongings or equipment; things".
It is amazing how many of these 'things' we amass in our lifetime. Thinking that we either want them or just have to have them. Rarely do we think about the fact that we truly need them. Even though every time I have moved over the past 8 years, I have cleaned out and gotten rid of many things, I was amazed at how much more I had. We put so much value in these things. But really, how much value do they truly have? For instance, I collected dolls from Ashton-Drake for many years for my one and only daughter. First, because I love dolls and second, because I wanted her to have them one day when she left home. I purchased several sets of these dolls in a numbered, limited series - thinking that they would be 'worth' something one day. Sadly, I discovered that these dolls were really not even worth the original price I paid for them years ago. Keep in mind that these dolls are no longer in circulation. However, with others having the same thought in a bad economy and in need of money, the market is saturated with them on Ebay. Alas, I finally decided that whatever I got for them on Ebay would be more than the value of the dust they were collecting on the shelf in the closet. Coupled with the fact that I could not take them to Guatemala and my daughter no longer wanted them. On to the rest of the 'stuff' I own. As I was going through boxes of beautiful things that I had (because I had no way to display them in the apartment), I discovered two figurines from the Avon collectible series purchased in the early 1980's. Aha, here is something I know will be of value and fetch a great price on Ebay. I quickly got on Ebay to see if any of these priceless jewels were for sale, or had sold and what price they had brought. I started laughing hysterically as I discovered that there were 16 of these priceless jewels for sale and the price they were going for was a whoping $5.99 with free shipping of course! That is probably about a fifth of what I paid for one of the figurines but my memory is a little rusty on the actual price.
All of this to say, what is truly valuable in this world? Jesus Christ says in his word, the holy bible, that people are of value. They are worth so much to Him, that He sent His one only son to die for the people of the world. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
What is our responsibility to this? "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."
This is what is truly important. Simple, yet profoundly true. However, it seems that we, as Americans in particular, have a hard time doing this. We are truly self-centered, amassing more and more things, while the world is starving, in poor health, living in adject poverty, and in great need. Their greatest need is hearing the Good News of the Gospel of Christ.
So...let's reflect on all of our possessions, maybe even get rid of some or all of it, and give to the people of the world. Instead of shopping til you drop this weekend, go to http://www.worldvision.com and see how your gift of a few dollars can give someone in poverty a goat, chicken, or pond filled with fish in order to feed their family. Or...you can go to http://www.casaontherock.org" and sponsor an orphan for only $35.00 a month. This would be the gift that keeps on giving. Much better than giving your family member, who has everything, that fruit of the month club subscription for Christmas. Instead wrap up the picture of an orphan that you have sponsored. Give it to your family member - with a smile on your face - and say, "I knew this would make you happy because it made me happy just giving it to you"!
Some of my meditations this week...
