I remember back in college I considered backpacking the entire Appalachian Trail which is 2100 miles long. A book I read encouraged the reader to buy a backpack that can only carry 20 pounds. He shared that the whole experience would change based on the size of one’s backpack. Most inexperienced campers would buy the biggest and heaviest backpack available which would then necessitate the heaviest boots in order to help the ankles and waist handle the extra weight. This would then mean the traveler would not be able to travel as far to each waypoint for more supplies so then the camper would have to carry more supplies further. The writer concluded through his own experience that once one lets go of the perceived desires of camping the right way then everything else changes. I find it amazing that one simple decision in buying a backpack could dramatically change a camper’s 6-month experience on the Appalachian Trail.
John warns us to beware of the love for the things of the world. Let’s read 1 John 2:15–17 (ESV): 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
I find it is easy to get caught up in trendy or techie things of the world by believing that they will make my life easier. Unfortunately, I find they can become like the big fancy backpack, that they only add more weight and complexity to my life. Now, I am not suggesting that we return back to the days of log cabins and living off the land but I am suggesting that sometimes it is easier to trust the things of the world rather than trusting God through prayer for what we need each day. My needs and my desires sometimes look a bit the same some days and I find that I trade in power of prayer for a fancy gizmo or the promise of an easier life.
So if you had to pause today and make one decision that would change everything in your life, what would it be? Is there one thing in your life that has added complexity to your life? Many times only changing one thing can have a cascading effect that then changes many others things in our lives. So, what is your one thing?
Pastor Aaron Kruse
