Why Take It With You?

We’re moving forward. Everything aligned. A seller’s market beckoned and a confident real-estate agent lit a fire beneath us to get our house on the market sooner than later. To our surprise, our home that we’ve grown accustomed to seeing the flaws in over the last twelve years seemed to shine to the right buyer in 3 days.

With little time to pack up, it was time to weed out.

One of my chores included emptying my 4-drawer toolbox, the one that had become a museum of artifacts from projects gone by. Mixed in with the common nails, nut and bolts were items I didn’t recognize.

Seeing the rising value of a solid, cardboard box, I didn’t want to waste any space. I dove into my toolbox and tossed aside the unrecognizable. But, while clearing out pieces of plastic, metal and rubber, I still wondered if I would need these things down the line.

Are you holding onto something today that’s unnecessary? We tend to get comfortable in our patterns, even if those patterns tend to do more harm than good. Sometimes we hold onto things that keep us from moving forward in God’s purpose for us.

Maybe you’ve convinced yourself that staying upset at those who have hurt you is the only way to cope with the situation. Maybe the things you choose to set your mind on are keeping you from setting your mind on more worthwhile thoughts. Maybe a comfortable relationship is stifled in growth because neither person wants to break out of the mold and challenge each other.

Regardless of where you may find struggle, God desires our progress toward Christian maturity uninhibited by the burden of excess baggage.

He tells us through the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13-14,

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

God also wants our lives to be marked with his spirit working in and through us.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, gentleness and self-control.” – Galatians 5:22-23

Whatever keeps you weighed down in a negative pattern and not exhibiting the fruits of the spirit needs weeding out. Start with opening the drawer of your hurts, habits and hang-ups and have an honest look. Have courage to throw out that which prevents you from maturing and operating from loving motives. Do this in community with other believers or even find professional Christian counsel. Allow God’s word to penetrate the dark places.

Those who helped Jessica and I load up our house in a 24-foot U Haul can tell you we could have weeded out more items for a better fit. But, we are thankful to be moving forward and taking less with us than we could have. Take the time now to lighten your load as you ask God to do whatever is necessary to bring this change about in your life.

God provides all the tools you’ll need.

Chris Howard

I am a man who loves his wife, Jessica, his daughter, Clara, his family, his friends and his church. Jesus Christ makes this all possible. He has made the difference in my life and I hope you encounter the difference He can make in yours.

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