Hiding Among the Stuff

In conversation with a friend and colleague, he casually said something which crystallised my thinking, with regard to the problem of why many Christians have become side-tracked in their personal walk with God.  His words were, “Too many of God’s people are to be found hiding among the stuff.” This is the quaint way the A.V. Bible describes the reaction of Saul when he was to be anointed King over Israel. Instead of stepping up and taking the mantle of responsibility, he took off and hid himself among the stuff, the baggage of everyday things. (1 Samuel 10).

I think this is a fitting commentary on the lives of too many believers today. When the opportunity for God’s purpose to be fulfilled in their individual lives comes along, they are often to be found buried up to their necks in the affairs of this world. In Saul’s case, the reason for hiding himself was understandable, though unacceptable. He felt inadequate, inferior, not up to the job. His modesty made him shrink from the limelight of such a high profile calling. Yet in time he would emerge from ‘among the stuff’ and take up the sceptre. The fact remains though, most Christians who are found ‘hiding among the stuff’ haven’t gone there out of humility! Rather, they are like Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress, who strayed from his journey along the River of Life and took a detour into By-Path Meadow. 

In can happen so easily. Other interests, most of which are legitimate, slowly begin to take priority over our time and talents. They eventually crowd out our acts of devotion and service. The good become the enemy of the best. The blaze that once brightly burned becomes a flicker. 

In Mark 4:18-19 Jesus warned of the good seed that fell among thorns.   “These are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”  It’s not that there is no place for ‘stuff’ in our lives. Family, careers, work, leisure, all contribute to our well-being. God is not a kill joy or spoil sport. He recognises our need of things. It’s just a question of priorities.  He doesn’t want us to be like others, who live only for the things of this world, and leave Him out of their lives. In fact, Jesus said in Matthew 6:32-33 “Our Heavenly Father knows we need all these things, but we are to seek first the Kingdom of God, and these things would be added unto us.” Jesus understood that the ‘stuff’ in life can be so distracting in our walk with God. Perhaps this is why many Christians who were once on active service for the King, are now content to be back on civvy street. 

Paul’s former mission partner, Demas, started out with great zeal, no rocking chair religion for him. But somewhere along the way he got side-tracked. The desire of other things and the cares of this world entered in and choked the word. He lost the fire in his belly to reach the lost.  Paul writes his obituary, 2 Timothy 4:10 “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world.” The wise Apostle admonishes, 2 Timothy 2:4 “No man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of this life…”

Let’s get out from under the entanglement of ‘stuff’ and accept the sceptre of God’s calling. 

- Pastor David Goudy