4,200. That's it. Just 4,200.
It may seem like a large number until you add "cubic units" to the end of it and it suddenly equals the space inside a "week-long" hiking pack. 4,200 cu to fit all the essentials for eleven months of travel around the world.
As I consider this lifestyle that I will be living next year, my list of essentials is being whittled down. Every action or thought is being weighed right now. Things like getting ready for my day, what I eat, things I buy, and even a drive to meet a friend for coffee. It is all being evaluated.
Is a warm shower nice? For sure. Is it essential? Surprisingly…no.
Do I cherish my long hair that requires lots of time and a crazy amount of product? Most definitely. Is it essential? Eek! No…
Is painting my nails and putting on makeup fun? Clearly. Is it essential? Not at all.
Do I enjoy the choices at the grocery store? Yes. Are they essential? No.
Is my car a blessing? Of course! Is it essential? Not really.
Do I love my morning coffee? No doubt! Is it essential? Um…….I'll get back to you on that one….
As I've been mentally whittling down my list of essentials, I realized that this process is not new to me. God has been doing the same thing with my heart over the past few months. This thought brings a clear vision of my heart in the palm of His hand. It is a wooden figure and although it is lumpy and slightly misshapen, it is still recognizable as a heart. I watch as God gently and carefully shaves off a piece of my heart with His knife. Ouch, right? But I hardly have time to process the thought of pain before I see Him lift His hand up to His face to gently blow away the shavings and saw dust. Instant relief! It is a breath of love that covers over everything and invites trust. He is whittling down what I have understood to be the essentials of who I have to be and what I have to do. I have come to realize how long my list of "musts" was and the striving that it invited. So what will be left when He is finished with my heart?
Just. Being. His. Everything else flows from that.
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
