Some Thoughts on Moving

Last week-end, we moved the rest of our stuff from Berne, Indiana to Pandora, Ohio. I have never liked moving and after this experience, I think I like it even less. It wasn’t that we didn’t have enough help moving; we had 15-20 people help us load up and around 20 people help us unload. We certainly had enough room since we had a whole semi trailer to pack in. I would have never guessed that it would get as full as it did. I would have never guessed that all our stuff in the semi weighed a little better than 6 tons! (A whopping 12,100 lbs!) Have you ever had your stuff weighed?
I think moving more than anything else convicts me that we truly have too much stuff. I am also convinced that the longer one resides at one place, the more stuff one acquires. One thing that I don’t like about moving is showing the world how much stuff I really have. I found that I felt a little vulnerable with having so many people help. Certainly we needed the help and appreciated it very much but I guess there is something in me that wants to keep my stuff private. (This feeling is probably another indicator that I have way too much stuff!)
If all this wasn’t convicting enough, during this week of moving, as providence would have it, I read the chapter “The Discipline of Simplicity” in Celebration of Disciple by Richard Foster. On pages Foster gives ten controlling principles for the outward expression of simplicity. I found them very helpful (and convicting!).
1) Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
2) Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you
3) Develop the habit of giving things away.
4) Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.
5) Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
6) Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation.
7) Look with a healthy skepticism at all “buy now, pay later” schemes.
8) Obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech.
9) Reject anything that will breed the oppression of others.
10) Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal of seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
Actually, when it comes down to it, I guess I must admit that moving is a good thing since it has reminded me of my overdependence on stuff and encouraged in me a simpler lifestyle with more dependence on God.