Unloading (Physically and Spiritually)

In the last few days, I have been going through heaps of files, books, bags, electronic stuff, jewelry, etc. trying to decide which ones to throw, to give, to sell, and to pack with me to Thailand. It never occurred to me that I have accumulated so much stuff in the last 6 years of being here in Windsor until I have gone through every single paper/item in my stack. I must say, this is a feat; and I have yet to go over my clothes, shoes, and other items.

Below are pictures of the initial stack I have gone through. This took me at least a week, and it is only the beginning.

As a woman (and a pack rat at that), what I am doing right now is not easy. I am not only emotionally attached to many of these items, but I have associated so many of them to something necessary to my survival. Letting go of a book or a CD is like letting go of who I am. But is it?

A conversation with my husband has helped me set some perspective of what is truly important and what I really need. Don’t get me wrong. I rebelled with the thought of what he said, but it made perfect sense. Do I really need this book or that CD to survive when we go to His field and do the work He asked us to do? The voice within me clearly said, “No.” So I set my mind of letting go and letting my heart learn to not hold on to any of these items; and my spirit became really light and I knew that I am on the right course. I am liberating myself from the spiritual stronghold of “my stuff” that I have unknowingly allowed to take a space in my heart. I feel so free inside of me.

Day in and day out, our modern day culture has taught us that as we have more we are better. The world has subtly made us believe in this lie; we have embraced it consciously yet unconciously. But as we add one more item to our stack of toys, we bind ourselves tighter to this temporary world making it difficult for us to move to where God wants us to be. Somehow as we have more possessions, we become trapped in where we are. Our possessions now possess us. We make decisions based on what we bought or the items we have acquired — our cars, our houses, our clothes, our lifestyle. I don’t think there is anything wrong with buying things or living comfortably. The danger lies when our hearts are not in the right place — when we let things or comfort cast a shadow on what God has for us.

Well, I have much to learn as I go through “my possessions” in the coming weeks. It is hard, yet it is easy to let go of these things. I must say, nothing compares to the joy that comes when you know you are obeying God’s voice.

Unloading what’s not important and loading (and soaking) in His promises and love,

Kezia