When I was in the Army all I really owned was what I was issued.I purchased a few civilian clothes to kick around in, a microwave, and a TV but that was it.
Why?
Because I wanted to be prepared to leave fast if and when THE CALL came to transfer to another post or go to war.
When I got orders to leave packing was easy.
Uniforms went in the duffle bag, civilian clothes and toiletries in the suitcase, grab the television and microwave, lug it all downstairs where all I owned in life fit in the trunk of my small car, clean my side of the room, say goodbye to my roommate, and hit the road.
Fast forward twenty-five years.
Our family recently moved out of the house we lived in for fourteen years.
After six children, an assortment of pets, many purchases, and just as many hand-me-downed items moving was a nightmare.
Honestly most of our clutter went into the garbage. Other things were claimed by strangers looking for treasures in the midst of our trash. Yet we still had boxes and boxes of stuff that I longed to just leave behind.
I missed the days of fitting all I owned in my trunk and rolling, unencumbered by life, down the highway.
Too many things make me feel...
old.
Can a veteran share a secret with you?
Let go.
Get rid of all the clutter and the garbage. Throw it away, sell it, give it away. Everything that isn't necessary for life but you're holding on to...
just in case.
How many compromising decisions are we making just because things that perishes with the using?
How many times have we said "NO" to God because of our desire to own more stuff?
How much of what we own requires hours of our time spent in maintenance, upkeep, or cleaning. Time that could have been spent for the kingdom.
So many of us believe but are bound to this world by what we own.
We've lost a hunger, a drive, to be used by God and the clock is ticking as we grow older and old amid our possessions.
He's calling you.
Let go.
It's all going to burn anyway.
I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire... But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere. Eccl 2:4-11 NLT
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments: For this is the whole duty of man. Eccl 12:13 KJV
