It is interesting that they call the show, "Hoarding: Buried Alive." We are "buried" when we die. Having too many things doesn't make our lives more full; it kills a part of us.
It is interesting that we use the term, "stuffing ourselves" when we overeat. We "stuff" dead animals. Having too much to eat doesn't make us more satiated; it turns us into creatures that aren't actually living.
Each day, the American way is to choose more and more and more because we can. We can get more stuff - some luxury items others just more things from the dollar store. We can eat more - some a four course meal others just a super sized "value" meal. And it really is killing us slowly. Not just the obvious march towards heart disease or strokes but also our spirits. We feel weighed down. I feel weighed down. Throughout each day, I stumble over my things, I drag my extra weight and chew on my worries.
Hebrews 12:1 in the NIV Bible says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Throw it off! Get rid of it! What doesn't show up in this English translation is that the verb tense used in the original language implies "throwing" off - on-going, constantly, every day. I hear the writer of this verse yelling, "Be free, my friends, be free!"
I want to learn to daily let go of my things, while still taking responsible care of the gifts I've been given. I want to let go of so many things that the things I have left can be treated as and thought of as GIFTS. Privileges and blessings to own.
I want to let go of unhealthy consumption, while still enjoying the bounty that we have been given. Eat what is life giving and taste that it is GOOD.
So that I may live a little more each day and run towards joy and wholeness.
