PACKING

Well - we're finally back from dropping off our youngest at North Central University in Minneapolis. The return trip home was just the two of us -- well, and now the dog. Three of us at the house. Everyone else gone. Strange.

Olivia packed our truck to the gills -- and on top as well. Once she got to the University, she had this epiphany that she probably had more stuff than all her suitemates (combined)? No. Not quite.

In the end, she got everything arranged, and realized she may have brought too much stuff. So she decided to send some of it back with us. And she won't miss it. Undoubtedly not. Not for a second.

This is our first battle in church life. Packing. And unpacking. We have to pick what to take with us and pick what to leave behind. We have to decide what is absolutely necessary and lay by the roadside even some things we may have deemed 'important.' What used to give us comfort might now only take up important space or even be a hindrance to getting us where we want to go.

There's no way to avoid this vital dilemma. It's good to wrestle it to the ground. Just face it. God packs light. He loves trimming off things that slow us down or make the journey more difficult.

Witness Gideon and his army. Less is more. Sometimes that trimming down includes assets and possessions (Jesus told His disciples to head out without tunic or purse). At other times, He strips us of things that have brought us internal security and pride.

The ancient communities were lean. When you don't have all the 'stuff' to keep you company, you're left to spend the time with people.

And be blessed.