Time to Throw Some Stuff Overboard?
Good Morning,In Acts 27 we find the account of Paul’s shipwreck. One thing I find interesting is that when the situation became desperate they started throwing all kinds of stuff overboard – stuff that you would normally say is extremely important. They threw grain, all kinds of cargo, the ship’s tackle; even the anchors were cut lose. Why? Because in the moment of crisis none of that stuff was going to do them any good.I remember as a youngster we had to evacuate our house during the night because there was a massive leak in a nearby reservoir. The leak was so large that if the walls broke a huge wave of water had the potential of wiping out our house. My dad told my brothers and me that we could take just three things with us. So what were the critical items in my life that I could not live without? I took my shotgun, my golf clubs and one other thing I don’t even remember! While I look back on that and laugh, it is amazing how much “stuff” we have in our lives that seems so very important to us, yet in a moment of crisis would do us no good whatsoever. Often this stuff distracts us from what is ultimately important in life.The stuff takes on many forms. It can be toys, hobbies, unhealthy relationships, obsession with work, church and community responsibilities, sin of all kinds, being consumed with our children and their happiness, worry over the future, the size of our 401K, etc. If we aren’t careful the balance in life is lost. And lost right along with it is the focus on things that will live on past this life.Look at what the Apostle Paul says about stuff in Phil. 3:7-9a
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him…”
Is it time to take inventory of your life and perhaps throw some stuff overboard? Has the time come to get rid of some of the non-essentials that are distracting you from the “surpassing greatness of knowing Christ”? How often we take for granted what an awesome privilege we have to be in relationship with the creator of ALL things. When the seas are rough and your boat is being tossed about, that is what will matter and little else.And the great news is… that will be enough!Live this week on purpose,Ron
