My brother and sister-in-law just moved from Montana to a place
much closer and paid us a visit this weekend. It was a very nice and long
overdue visit. They are in the market for a motorhome. We tagged along with them. It was eye
opening. The variety of motorhomes available is amazing. After we said our good
bye’s we headed home. It is impossible to drive highway 99 without passing
trailer sales, so we stopped in and browsed. . My wife and I have a small
travel trailer and enjoy it much. We purchased the trailer before I retired and
have used it quite often.
We do not owe anything on our current truck and trailer, which
makes it much easier to go more often. However, who doesn’t wish for something
newer or more powerful. We did some
shopping and I came away with sticker shock, something usually associated with actually
buying the product. In my case, just being close to the prices of new trailers
was enough to scare me. The RV industry is driven by the desire of people to
enjoy themselves. The operative word in the acronym RV is Recreation.
There is nothing wrong with enjoying yourself; I am not against
buying things either. I am a tech fan and love getting new devices. However, a
quote from a man who gave all for his faith made me stop and think about
priorities. Jim Elliot gave up everything to take the good news to the Huaorani Indians in
Ecuador. He said,
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” It is important to enjoy life; it is a
blessing from the creator of all things, but at the same time, the wise person learns
how to hold on loosely to the things of this world.
John 3:16 says, “For God so love the world that he gave his only
son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” Eternal life is the thing that you cannot
lose, once you have turned your life over to Him and believe in Him. Everything
in this world is temporary including life. The only thing in this world that
last forever is the word of God and the promises of God. This is the good news
that Jim Elliot gave is life to bring to an isolated tribe in the jungles of
Ecuador. For there to be good news there must in turn be bad news. The bad news
is that there is also eternal life apart from God. Our last breath on earth is
not the end. Our eternal souls live on with God forever or without God forever.
In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man
comes to the father but by me.” I invite you to look into Jesus he has the
answers.
If you are in the market for a big-ticket item and can afford it,
buy it and enjoy it but learn to hold on loosely. Do not be a fool for the things of this
world.
Cliff
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