Welcome to Christ Episcopal Church

Christine and I had “the talk” again the other day.

Not about “the birds and the bees”, or finances, or anything like that. It was something much more important: what to do with all the stuff that’s been accumulating in our garage and those rooms in the basement.

I have no idea how this happens. It feels like we do a pretty good job of clearing things out, and then six months later – boom! There are toys and clothes and books and boxes and straight-up junk filling the nooks and crannies.

Some of this, of course, is just a matter of our kids getting older. We don’t need that box of outdoor play stuff or that bin filled with Barbies (anyone need some Barbies?) But a lot of it are things we’ve bought and just don’t need – like that pail of left-over nails and screws – or things we mean to deal with, but put off to the side and forget about instead.

Some clutter isn’t bad. It’s probably a sign of life in our house. But too much clutter and we start to lose important things in the mess, or get distracted, or get frustrated with our lives or with the people around us.

The reality is that we live in a culture of accumulation. But we don’t just accumulate possessions and “stuff”. We accumulate ideas, loyalties, desires, and emotions. It often turns out that our hearts and minds are just as cluttered – often even more so – than our homes.

It might be time for all of us to consider simplifying. Just like Christine and I don’t need those Barbies or volleyballs or six snow shovels, maybe there are worries and concerns we don’t need to carry around either. Maybe it’s time to focus on what’s important.

Unsurprisingly, Jesus has something to say about this. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Our clutter – whether it’s physical things or the loyalties and desires that compete for our attention – can easily distract us from what really matters: a heart oriented toward the things of heaven. As we enjoy this beautiful summer, I encourage you to think about those things that distract you from discipleship. What earthly treasures or cares might you be able to set aside so that you can more easily find the heavenly treasures that will help you grow in your faith?

In Christ, Pastor Aaron Twait