Life is Sticky

By Jim Duggan

Published: June 04, 2008

Life is sticky. I am amazed at how easily we get attached to things that are native to our earth existence as if they are coated with some sort of miracle bonding adhesive. We have grown so accustomed to the accoutrements and technologies of our day. If a storm knocks out power, we lament the inconvenience of being "powerless." If our cell phones lose service, we feel as though we have been cut off from the world around us. Let's not even think about what happens if we lose the cable TV or satellite service!

Just this weekend, the hard drive on my new laptop crashed. Without any warning this malady exposed my sad dependence on modern technology. I am embarrassed at how this affected my mood. You see, I had not backed up my system since November - yes, I know, my fault! - and I stand to lose the study notes from my entire Joshua series, a ton of downloaded (legally!) music, and a nice collection of graphic art. Not mention, I also will lose updates to software already loaded on my computer.

But when God finally calmed me down, I realized how silly I am about stuff like that. We still have a desktop PC in the house that works as well or better than my laptop, and I have my old laptop still as a backup - an extra laptop for crying out loud! The only loss I will suffer is little inconvenience over some documents that stupid me failed to backup. And there is even a chance some of the data from the failed drive can still be retrieved. Compared to family and friends - as well as others - who suffered so much loss during the storms of last weekend, I really am blessed and should rather be thankful to God for His blessings in my life.

But as I said, life on earth is sticky. "Things" seem to adhere to us steadfastly, so much so that all too often we take our attention off of God and His purposes and ways in our lives. Our life is not defined by the things we have . . . or don't have for that matter. Our own resources, possessions, talents, merits, and deeds amount to nothing in the Kingdom of God. Let me remind us of the words of Jesus:
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

Sobering words, that last verse - where your treasure is there your heart will be also. I have to ask myself - do I treasure my stuff or God? What bothers me more, that my laptop crashed or someone sitting in church today feels like her life is falling apart? What costs me more sleep, the loss of data or the lostness of a neighbor's soul? What do we treasure, OUR things or GOD'S Kingdom? My plans, my aspirations, my agenda; or God's purposes and plans for me?

I think it may be time for me get out the spiritual solvent and lose this attachment to things. I know where I want my heart to be; now it's the time to get it there.

Originally posted by Jim Duggan on May 19, 2008. Jim is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Hoschton, GA.