Take a drive through towns of almost any size and one business that seems to be thriving is Self Storage. Have you ever wondered why that is such a big business? Could it be that we have already stored everything we could under our beds; filled our closets to overflowing: floored and filled our attics; left our cars in the driveway because there was no more room in the garage; and added a backyard shed that still didn't meet all of our need for storage. The next step is to lease space in varying sizes at the local self storage facility.
I read recently that when we are young, we want things. When we are middle age, we acquire things. As we reach an older age, we try to get rid of things.
Is it possible that our view that the quantity and quality of our things (treasures) determines our value and standing in life has become the tyranny that keeps us off of the less traveled road? One of the foundational scriptures for this website and blog is Matthew 6:19-21.
Matthew 6:19-21
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
While it is tempting to preach from these verses, permit me to put these words in practical, everyday less traveled road terminology:
Does your family or your possessions mean the most to you? For example, your teenager has a car wreck in your new, not yet paid for, dream car. Is your first thought - is my car repairable or is my child all right?
When it is time to get to the ballgame or the theater and a friend or an acquaintance really needs to talk and get your spiritual counsel, do you put them off until tomorrow so that you aren't late for your planned activity?
To which cause are you most likely to donate money - to rescue animals or to feed starving children?
Of the twenty-four hours you have in each day, what gets the best of who you are and are striving to be - your job and work or your family and personal relationships?
What affects your outlook and behavior most - the culture of our day or the teachings of Jesus?
This listing could go on and on. It is not intended to be judgmental of anyone, but rather its purpose is simply to cause each of us to stop and evaluate where we are on this journey of life. Are you concerned with some of your responses and wish they were different? Remember that this entire website and blog is about helping us make better decisions and choices that most often will put us on a less traveled road, but one that has a positive and blessed result.
Stay warm and safe during these cold winter storm days.
These are all great points! And your list of questions are good to pause and reflect on--what do we prioritize and why? What do our inclinations indicate about our characters? In what ways should we reevaluate those priorities, and what should we change?
Also, although I'm not in this particular age range, I totally get the whole "As we reach an older age, we try to get rid of things." as my parents have been in this mindset during recent months. We humans do like our stuff, don't we?😏