Proverbs
2:1, “My son, (or daughter) if you will receive my words and
treasure my commandments within you, 2 Make your ear attentive to
wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; 3 For if you cry for
discernment, lift your voice for understanding; 4 If you seek her as
silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will
discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God.”
NASB
The
things that I love and hold dear to my heart are just borrowed; they're not mine at all... Jesus only let me use them to brighten my
life...So remind me, remind me, dear Lord. The words of an old song
hold true today. I have loved and held many things close to my heart.
I have had so many blessings and material goods. No, I am not wealthy
compared to some. But compared to others, I am. I have had my share
of the comforts of life, not extravagant things but enjoyable things.
Some have been very useful, some just pretty to look at, and some
just plain and simple little treasures. But things are just that;
they are “Things.” Things can be replaced if lost or stolen. They
are disposable and transferable. They are things.
Sometimes
things get in the way of what is important. They can become too
meaningful and take our time and energy away from what really counts.
I am learning to lay them down. Day by day, they are losing their
value to me. I have been letting them go from my heart for some time
now because I will not take them with me. They have served their
purpose thus far, and I am very thankful for all I have been given to
enjoy along the way.
I have
always tried to keep my head straight as to how I spend our money. I
have tried to be saving and practical; you know, the bargain hunter
kind of person. But even at a bargain, the “things” you have can
become a part of you. You become familiar with them, and they
sometimes become “treasures.” They may not be worth much to
anyone else but you. They are special to you.
Well, I
have had lots of those special things hidden away in old hat boxes or
the dresser drawers and in closets, even under the beds. Things I
have saved from our only little boy: baby clothes, little cars, and
things he saved through the years. Things that make you smile, like a
costume I made him for his 1st grade play, pictures he drew of his
house, family, and the neighbor's dog. The dog stayed at our house
because he loved it so much. You know, “treasures” that I don’t
plan on throwing out, but my heart is letting go.
I think I
understand the purpose is for letting go. It isn’t wrong to have
things, but it is wrong for things to have us. When what we have and
what we do is all about things, and we just want to live on and on so
we can secure and protect our treasures. We need to release them!
There are no U-Hauls going to heaven. I don’t want the tears that
are wiped away from my eyes to be about the “things” I have
accumulated. I will leave all that behind.
1 John
2:15, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the
world...” I am letting go! The greatest treasures I have are My
precious Family, My Relationship with the Lord, and My Understanding
of His Word. I celebrate the fact that He died, that I might live, and
that has nothing to do with “things.” That is my greatest
treasure! And that, my friend, I must hold on to forever and NEVER
LET GO. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be
also,” Matt. 6:21.
