I write this blog post from New Jersey. In March my family and I returned to the United States to complete our habitual Home Ministry, the time formerly called “furlough.” Our family has changed in so many ways! And one of those is the fact that two of our children moved into a different houses. One moved several states away and the other within the same state. Now they have experience with the same reality that for decades, we have dealt with in Chile. It’s called the build up of clutter!

Moving obligates one to clean out clutter, to choose between what is useful and what is not. It also provides a chance to ask, “What is the purpose of holding onto this stuff?” That’s a good question for all of us to ask on a regular basis! We need to be aware of the fact the tentacles of the world continually grasp to hold us down, to anchor our lives in the present, and to make us ignore the future. While the accumulation of stuff is a reality due to the family advancing through stages of growth, the problem with it is that we tend to want to hold on the the STUFF and the PAST at the same time.

That is the danger. The more we accumulate, the more we are pulled backward.

While cleaning out our public storage unit, one we had rented for about 7 years, several lessons came to mind. I would like to share a few here, in an attempt to help us all live our Christian calling more effectively.

REASON #1

The retention of clutter generates a cost. It costs time to sort and to clean out. It costs money to rent the space or to use space that might be more effectively adapted to other uses. And it costs emotional energy. We live out every memory when we unload, sort and clean out the knick-knacks, the clothes or the toys. Would it not be more valuable for to give them to someone who can still get some use out of them? By removing clutter, you free yourself to be a “giver” and not a “keeper.” That opens up the way to see how God uses you to bless others, rather than hang onto the past.

REASON #2

Holding onto clutter sometimes gets in the way of the more important things…like the person who gave it to you or the lessons to be learned from them. The space, the work, and the maintenance of a pile of clutter or of old, worn out items eventually becomes the more important task. What we ought to seek to carry with us is the lessons, the insight and the love that the person who gave it to us or from whom it was passed along, demonstrated at that moment. The OBJECT is not more valuable than the GIVER.

However, if you are like me, the object often triggers the memory and can help “transport” you back to the time when it was a daily interaction. So, if that is the case with you, then try to put a little sticker on the back of the item with a short phrase to remind you and others, WHY this stuff has sentimental value. In other words, don’t let the lesson be lost on the item. Keep them both in focus.

REASON #3

Maintain a proper perspective on all items. The things are temporary, no matter how valuable or how precious. We look at a grand father clock or a broach and think, “this is worth something!” Sure, it may be. But the fact is, gold and silver and precious stones all fade in value. But the souls of men and women are eternal. That means your soul and those of your descendants. To make a statement of real worth, implement in your daily practice the value scale that Christ used: “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt.” (Matt. 6:19) The stuff that really lasts is already in glory! You don’t have to worry about losing what’s there!

REASON #4

Frequently the problem with the stuff we accumulate is not the actual physical value or the meaning. Things may prohibit us from obeying the Lord Jesus Christ who clearly stated to the rich young man,

“When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” (English Standard Version, Lk 18:22–24)

“Learn to travel light.
You will not tire as much and
you will live with greater joy.”

This man’s wealth blocked him from obeying Christ. I am certain that at times in my life, my “stuff” has blocked me from obeying Him too. Like when I take time to check my bank balance instead of praying. Or when I spend hours online searching for the “best deal” when I could better use that time giving others the Gospel or sharing a word of encouragement.

Since we all know that stuff can weigh more and more the more we value it, I find it helpful to remember the wise words a former Regional Director of South America with ABWE who told me: “Learn to travel lite. You will not tire as much and you will live more joyfully.” Thank you Dr. and Mrs. Art Cavey! Those are wise words of advice!

Perhaps you and I would do well to have a “clutter clean out day” yearly! It may help us live and travel through this world lightly, and freely. If Christ Jesus himself lived this way, we certainly ought to seek to emulate Him as much as possible.

David L. Rogers
Clementon, NJ