I just returned from a two week mission trip to Malawi and Zambia, Africa. Packing for an international trip takes a little more thought than a weekend getaway to a neighboring city or state. Also, the nature of the trip determines the kind of items you pack. The first part of this trip involved staying in a modern, western style Holiday Inn. The second half of the trip, accommodations were uncertain. So rather than packing comfortable sight seeing clothes, bathing suites, and shopping clothes, I packed a mosquito net, toilet paper, insect spray, hiking boots etc. The nature of trip and accommodations can also determine what you do with your clothing and other items once you arrive.
When you travel and stay in a hotel do you unpack your bags and put your clothes in the drawers provided or do you put your suitcase on the luggage holder and live out of your suitcase? For me, it depends on how long I’m going to be staying in a particular location. If I’m only staying one or two nights, I just open my suitcase and live out of it. I don’t want to go to the trouble of unpacking and repacking for such a short time. However if I’m staying a week or more I almost always unpack and neatly put my folded clothes in the drawers provided, hanging clothes on hangers in the closet, and shoes neatly stored on the floor of the closet. However, when I travel to Africa on a mission trip, I always leave my clothes and goods in my suitcase. Why? That’s a good question that got me thinking about how I handle my bags and goods in life
I am a citizen of the United States, a proud Texan, a Longview Lobo, with a house in Harrison county. However these are my temporary dwellings and identities, because my lasting, permanent citizenship is not in any of these spaces or places. My dream dwelling, final home… is in heaven with my God: Father, Savior, Holy Spirit. And yet, I have to admit that for much of my life, I have packed as if this world is my home and then fully unpacked my luggage, putting my earthly things in “permanent” (you would think) storage places: closets, cabinets, shelves, dressers and night stands. When I become more at home in this world I forget about the dream home my Savior is working on for me in heaven.
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 reminds us that it’s only a matter of time, could be short, that Jesus will finish our final dream home and will be returning to earth to take us home. In these words there is a warning that people will become so at home in this world that they will be taken completely by surprise when this happens, just like you would be surprised if you awoke during the night and found a thief had entered your home and was taking your stuff away. Verse three warns us of becoming too comfortable and complacent with earthly living.
While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 1 Thess. 5:3
Why are we surprised when bad things happen? Not that we should live, anticipating that something bad is about to happen, but we are also taught to expect suffering, to expect trials, to expect persecution in this world because it’s imperfect, it is flawed at its core, people are sinful and apart from God’s grace, will do sinful things. When we try to make this world, our home, our career, our health, our anything permanent, we are sorely off track, out of touch spiritually, because since sin entered God’s perfectly created world, this world can never be heaven, it is not whole and is not lasting. Earth for the believer is a place to visit, to work, to travel, to evangelize and disciple, but not a place to unpack our bags and settle in for the long haul.
The American Convenience Culture
Is Convenience Culture Sacrificing Our Wellbeing?
The Changing Definition of Convenience
Convenience culture articles
Life in the United States of America and many other developed countries can be described as a “culture of convenience.” Convenience culture is a result of companies making it easier and easier for us to consume whatever products and services they sell, evolving beyond fast-food drive-throughs and literal ‘convenience stores’. Oct 22, 2019.
Even secular writers have observed how convenience can unwittingly shortcut healthy human growth and development.
Let’s begin with the assumption that the most important lessons we learn, the most transformative journeys we take, and the most powerful experiences we have are rarely “convenient.” The things that make us better are usually the things that require us to dig a little deeper and find something in ourselves that makes us truly feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. While convenience is a welcomed privilege, what makes us who we are usually requires a modicum of effort, or self reliance, or shared effort. If this is not your experience, then this post may not be for you.
Convenience Culture And The American CommunityPosted by Arian Horbovetz
How have we as followers of Jesus been impacted and influenced by the Culture of Convenience versus the Culture of Discipleship? Have we bought into the culture of convenience and allowed comfort, efficiency, convenience become an idol that we bow down to rather than a resource that we manage? How can you tell? How can you evaluate? Consider exploring some comfort exposing questions.
Comfort Exposing Questions:
- When I look at my calendar how much time is committed to working to obtain comfort giving gadgets and to maintain comfort centered devices, homes, cars?
- When I look at my bank account, checks and debits, what do they reveal as my priorities and treasured items?
- When I feel a pull toward a mission or ministry, does the threat of discomfort dissuade me from pursuing a particular mission or ministry opportunity?
- If I had 24 hours to do anything I wanted with no limitations regarding money or resources, what opportunities come to mind? Comfort centered or Commission centered?
Consider these additional biblical warnings regarding when, where, why and how you settle down and put down roots.
Philippians 3:17–21 (ESV): 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Romans 8:5–8 (ESV): 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Colossians 3:2 (ESV): 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Matthew 16:23 (ESV): 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
As you read and reflect on these questions and verses, would you say you have figuratively unpacked your bag of commitments, goals and values and put them into the drawers of earthly convenience and comfort? Have you made earth bound commitments that supercede eternal and lasting devotion? Has you love and devotion to your God, Creator and Savior been supplanted by affections for this world and and acquisition of worldly things. Do you view your earthly goods, cars, homes, furniture and other items as possessions to own indefinitely or resources to manage for a limited time.?
If you have unpacked your loyalties and commitments in worldly efforts, events and edifices, consider repacking your bags and get back on the path of pilgrimage with the Savior rather then being comfortable in a den with the devil. This is not easy to see on the surface, especially if you leave the den to visit the earthly worship edifices every once in a while…weekly, monthly or even yearly. This is a heart issue, so we must have the surgeon, Jesus (Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV): “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need“, use the surgical instrument of the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12–13 (ESV), “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account“, guided by the surgical guidance of the Holy Spirit ( Ephesians 6:17b (ESV) “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” , John 14:26 (ESV): “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Ask God to search your heart and mind, open the cabinet and doors of your life, or your suitcases of goodies and treasured items and reveal your true devotion, loyalties, and love. Pray along with David, Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV): “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!“
RESTORING HOPE 