Many changes are coming up later this month, including that I will be moving into a new place. Right now, I’m struggling with a few different things:
- Getting rid of things. In all the cleaning, organizing, and packing, there are some material possessions I am having a hard time letting go of. This is because I either dread having to repurchase them later, I have an inordinate emotional attachment to them, or I just selfishly want to hang on to them because they are the trophy items of my financial achievements.
- Impending changes. A few very important people are moving away in a matter of weeks: my sister and my boyfriend. I’m not losing them, they are just off to do bigger and better things. There will be an adjustment period during which I will mourn and eat lots of ice cream.
In all the changing and letting go of things and situations, I did a quick search on bible verses that mention possessions. Most of the verses that kept coming up were in the context of practical commands to give to those who are in need out of the abundance God has blessed us with. While this is excellent, I kept searching and lo and behold, verses 19 to the end highlighted the exact two issues I’m dealing with: possessions and worrying about the future. Here’s what God showed me:
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also ~Matthew 6:21
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ~ Matthew 6:33
The bad news: I’m awfully preoccupied with controlling my situation, and awfully UN-occupied with seeking God first in all things. All things means all things. Even when you’re about to step into a new phase in your life and everything feels like it’s going backwards and upside-down. It means I should seek Him in the little details like giving away my favorite tea kettle, and in the medium-sized things like giving away my beautiful Ikea bed I love so much but have no room for, and in the king-sized things like having a long-distance relationship, uncertain how we will end up.
But here’s the good news: Jesus promises us that our Father knows what we need and will provide, and that we are storing up treasures in Heaven “where moth and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:20). He will add to me everything I need, and then some! (Matthew 6:33).
It’s certainly not easy trying to remember and take comfort in these passages. Indeed, these are hard things to apply to real life. I am a physical being in a tangible world, but this is not my permanent home. Jesus prayed to the Father for his disciples, and you and me, in John chapter 17:
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. (vv. 14-19).
Lord, Thank you for revealing your love for us chronic worriers through your Word. Use it in our lives that we might be renewed in our mines and attitudes for Your Glory. Thank you that you don’t ever leave us to face hardship and change on our own. Help us to keep Your perspective on what is worthy of our attention. Amen!
tea & testimony 
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