A week ago today I left my waterbottle with a fancy new clip (thanks, Granny) accidentally in our contact’s van (sorry, Granny). It was returned to our campsite, but left in the driveway and either was stolen or fell down the steep hill.
While I knew in my head that this thing I’d only had for 3 weeks was not that important, I struggled to not get upset. I kept going back, trying to pinpoint the moment I had most errored which led to losing it.
Then I began to reason. “It’s just a silly waterbottle clip. My friendships with the girls who left it in the driveway are much more valuable. I love them way more than this inanimate object. Plus, I don’t want to make them feel any worse. Hey, maybe I can make myself a fake one.”
Still, I felt a little thirstier than usual as my thoughts turned back to that silly clip and disposible bottle.
“That was a gift from my Granny! What will she think? I had only gotten it 3 weeks ago. It was so handy!”
Then, a worship song came on in the background of our bamboo fence building work.
“…Jesus’ stripes…”
…lalala…something.
Finally, I got what Jeanette so strongly preached to me for 3 months. Stuff is just stuff!
Jesus paid it all!
It may seem unrelated: waterbottle clips and Jesus’ lashes before dying on the cross. But it’s not!
In fact, that’s just it. One of these things matters and in light of it, the other doesn’t.
So it’s not even about having grace for people – it’s about treasure. What do you consider to be treasure? Is it found in stuff, or on the cross?
I know in my head which is far more important, now for the Lord to teach me this more and more til it’s cemented in my heart.
