What I didn't notice at the time, but have since some to value, is that many of my friends in their "settling down" were taking on loads that weighed them down. In some cases the stresses of material life prevented them from emotionally and spiritually growing past the limits of their possessions, or the pursuit there of. I also noticed that my memories of trips with friends have far outweighed the memory of any new car... I'd imagine since I've never had a truly new car. But, I do remember the little Opal rental car in Spain that my friend Tim couldn't drive because he is to tall and had to sit with passenger seat all the way back so it was touching the back seat. Or perhaps the rickety safari van that blew three tires in two days as Glen, a second chance dad in my life, and I traveled the Serengeti plain. These memories are part of a treasure of experiences that has made me who I am. It has been a great journey, with great people that God has brought into my life.
The most valuable lesson I learned in that season was to travel light. First, in a literal sense, do you know how much time and worry you save when you fly with a backpack rather than a suitcase? The less you carry to easier it is to get up and go... anywhere. Sometimes, I think we "put down roots" near the wrong wells. A bad relationship, a mortgage we can't afford, a vocation that doesn't suit us... all because of this roaring voice that says "you don't have enough! You are falling behind! your future isn't secure!" Maybe its because we act before our character has formed enough to know the good wells from the bad, or maybe we out-grow the range of possibilities we set for in our youth. Maybe this was the problem with the rich young ruler Jesus invited to sell his earthly possessions. Jesus knew he was so tied by them that he could never live freely. He says in another place...
"those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."
Luke 14:33
In Greek the literal wording goes something like this... "Those of your who do not give up you claim to everything that you have come underneath to hold up, will not have the ability to learn from me." What are we holding up? Can you feel the weight of it? What keeps us so occupied that we loose the ability to rest or listen to God.
I'd like to say that I intentionally traveled light but I have never been that thoughtful. In fact, some of my most painful mistakes I made came from times I tried to "catch up" with my friends. But that wasn't the right plan for me, it didn't fit what God was working into my life. He has crafted a character from both positive and negative to uniquely fit me. As I reflect now, I believe God knew, and knows, exactly what I need to learn the postures of gratitude and obedience needed to listen to his voice.
In Numbers 11 God leads his people with a cloud that rests over the tabernacle, a fancy word for the meeting tent where God met with man. When the cloud moved, the people moved. Sometimes it stayed for a single day, and sometimes it stayed for a year. They never knew when it would move. They would have to always be ready to break camp and follow. I am convinced that God did this in order to teach his people to travel light. The key is in the not knowing what is next. They had to learn trust from following, as do we.
Daily following does not mean that we don't put down roots, It simply means that we put down roots in wells that giver life and won't hold us back in following God. It means that we are constantly ready to give up claim to everything, realizing that everything is God's and we will take the most joy from it when we are using "our possessions" how he would have us use them. Are we able to follow the cloud in our lives? My memories of Opals and safari vans, My relationships with Tim and Glen will go with me when I leave this life. Big Red will not.... at least I hope not, I sure don't want to drive a red 85 GMC Jimmy in heaven. May we all learn to travel light.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
