Wouldn’t it be nice if every weekend of your life wasn’t dedicated to moving stuff around? Every thing we bring into our homes costs us time, even some of those “time-saving” devices.
I wonder how many opportunities have been missed, how many adventures have been passed over, how many relations have been strained because we’ve had to consider the mountains of stuff ?
If you were offered a great job in a new community, how heavy would the thought of moving your possessions factor into your decision?
I think one of the greatest gifts a clutter-free life can give us is the opportunity to follow God wherever he leads. Jesus tells us exactly how to live a life that is closer to God: “Jesus said to [the rich young man], ‘If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me’ ” (Matthew 19:21 NASB). What this means to me, when it comes to clutter, is this:
Walk lightly. Have as few things as possible in your possession.
Give what you have, both financially and materially, to the poor.
Follow God. You will not be encumbered by stuff, so you can follow God wherever he leads.
The world wants to tell you that freedom can be bought in a car that can take you anywhere, in convenience food that will save ten minutes of prep, in electric scissors (which if you are a quilter, I get; otherwise no), and in “self-cleaning” shower electronic spray.
So here are a few questions about what things should you own and what could you let others own for you:
Do you need to own skis when you go to the snow only every three years, or could you rent the equipment when you get there?
Do you need to own a sewing machine that you use only to make costumes every other year, or could you borrow a friend’s for this need?
Do you need to own a weed whacker, or could you and a neighbor share?
How about the new John Grisham best seller? Do you need to buy that today, or could you wait until your friend is done with hers or the library eventually has copies to check out?
Must you own that fondue pot? Or could you borrow your mom’s for your annual Melting Pot Party?
Owning is not bad. But we must understand that there is a price to be paid for everything we own. Owning too much chips away at our freedom.
But freedom is the knowledge that you have what you need, what you love, and you have resources to care for those that God points you to and can follow him wherever he takes you.
Quite simply, every piece of clutter I give away gets me closer to the life I’m designed to live. One of peace. One of freedom.
From Clutter Free by Kathi Lipp
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