This weekend I took a bike ride to the beach. This is a luxury for a Midwest lad and something I have become quite fond of this summer in the Gulf. On the pier I saw a man with a bicycle draped with a few plastic bags.
My unconventional mind began to draw connections between our concepts of possessions, home, and identity. Often in our society the homeless are seen around town with all of their possessions on their person whether in a grocery cart, bike or alley. These people are often associated with failure, dysfunctional, or undesired.
The everyday citizen travels about their day with most of their possessions (furniture, home, etc.) stowed away at a “secure” location. They travel as if they are free but often times that is not the case. Often times these possessions are footholds of a disillusioned society that is far too comfortable and unreliant on the ultimate source of strength and fulfillment.
I enjoy my post collegiate lifestyle as my entire livelihood fits inside my car. But I am not immune to the powers of the world. Possessions, hobbies, and even relationships can become our greatest barriers to a walk with Christ if we do not keep these things in proper perspective.
Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
If you haven’t found fulfillment in Earthly things you are not alone and there is nothing wrong with you…
Hebrews 13
14 For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come. 15 With Jesus' help; let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of his name.
A life centered on Christ does not put much weight in Earthly fulfillment. In fact, in John 15 Christ told his disciples
18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
Followers must find the balance between being in the world but not of it. It is not by chance that the closer God draws us to him the less we prioritize worldly values. As we are made and continually transformed in Christ’s image we are obligated to shake and reject the ways of the flesh and be a light to others on the invaluable relationship with Christ. There is a boldness that comes from storing our treasures in heaven. Love for the Lord and fellow man will take you a long way in this life but even further in heaven. Christ will provide all that you need and it may not be the comfortable life you are accustomed to. Trusting and loving God requires you allowing him to expose where your allegiance lies. Do not fret, God will supplement your heart, molding you in Christ's image. As Philippians 1:6 states
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
