Such were the final remarks of the political show host as he closed out his hour. We all know his statement well. But it’s hard to live out that poignant truth.
A boat. A cabin. A motor home with car to match. A new house. Such were a few of the possessions that a person I knew once owned – all at one time. Some people simply hope to pay the electric bill. Others, as the one mentioned above, are blessed with “things”.
Now, let me be clear, “things” aren’t bad. They are, and can be, wonderful. Those who have them and enjoy them know the blessings they can be. Understanding this, they share their things with others in order to spread the joy.
However, things do not contain life. Nor are they life giving. Without people, they just sit. Like in a museum where they don’t really do much other than offer us something to look at and ponder. For those of you who have had the luxury of things, you know exactly what I mean. Things are meant to be used and to be enjoyed. The reality is, they’re fun and they do make life a bit less boring. (And at times a whole lot easier!)
King Solomon was a man who owned many things. The Queen of Sheba after her visit to his palace in Jerusalem was said to have noted that the stories she’d heard didn’t do justice to what she discovered during her actual visit. But Solomon was not always a happy man. The book of Ecclesiastes, written by Solomon himself, explores this portion of his life.
Sometimes we find that we have worked harder for things than we have for the things that matter most. Now, I realize this can vary from person to person, but the fact is, what we invest our time, our energy, and our resources in and on says a lot about who each of us really are.
Take a look this week and notice where you are investing most of yourself. If you find you are more focused in, or on, “things” why not see if you can’t make a few adjustments.
Life. It’s not about things. They’re just a part of it.
Stephanie
