Collecting Moss by Marion Smith
The Live Oak trees in the Savannah, Georgia area are lovely. Spanish Moss drapes gracefully from almost every limb, adding a special touch of beauty. Occasionally, the wind will blow these clumps of moss out of the tree onto the ground. I saw one of those clumps on the ground recently, and I thought I would take it home to spread around the tops of my house plants. I soon discovered an interesting fact: there were many unexpected creatures living in that moss, and they made my collecting effort futile.
I wanted the moss but got more than I bargained for. Sometimes, secular “wants” can be the same. One example is the want of a lovely home. This is a natural, worldly want, and it is easy for the unexpected creatures to appear suddenly, just as they had in the moss. A home is important, but it is the warmth and love that permeate it that should be the focal point, not the visual trappings. It is easy to become overly involved with furnishing and buying accessories. When upkeep and maintenance demand a lot of time, we may be caught in a constant whirlwind of looking, pricing, and buying (sort of like a hamster on an exercise wheel!). The “to-do” list of upkeep and improvements never seems to end and can be an emotional and financial drain on us.
I believe that is why God’s Word tells us to keep our focus on things eternal, not temporal. When we invest our time and money in eternal pursuits, we can be sure it is well spent. In 1
1 Timothy 6:17-19, we hear that all which God gives us is for our enjoyment. These are things to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, and ready to share.
We may leave behind the exhausting desires of secular upkeep as easily as I left that clump of Spanish moss in Savannah.
Meditation: Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. – 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Jesus Loves You!
Also read:
- Winds of Change
- Understanding God: The God of New Identity
- The Benefits of Wisdom: Preservation of Life
- If God Brings You To It
- God Saved Me From Bondage
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