Traveling Light

Holding Loosely to the Things of This World – 7.16.22

Our family took a trip to San Antonio recently. One afternoon, after a visit to the Historic Market Square, we found ourselves perusing the shelves in the downtown Goodwill. That’s where I found the above picture of a pull behind camper. The picture and caption, “happiness is a travel trailer”, reminded me of a conversation I had with some strangers in Utah a few months ago.

On a tour out west, I had the opportunity to visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park in Kanab, Utah. While there, we spent time sledding down the sand slopes! It was beautiful and a truly exhilarating experience. There were quite a few wipe outs, which let to some hilarious videos and memes that were frequently circulated amongst the students I was with during dinner. After we finished sledding and hiked back to the bleachers where we left our bags, I had the opportunity to engage a couple that was lingering around. They were clearly of retirement age, but what prompted our exchange was the large camera and tripod he was carrying. Curious, I engaged him in some dialogue around what they were photographing. It was slightly more courteous and professional than, “you come here often”? The husband and wife began to tell me their story. They retired, sold their home and nearly all of their possessions, and purchased a camper. They travel the country, taking in the beauty of creation, exploring, sharing time and experiences with each other. I was awestruck and captivated by their testimony. I teared up by the beauty of their decision to leave it all behind to fully live life together. Maybe I’ll run into them again, I hope I do. They were incredibly kind, and I’d love to hear more about their journey.

That interaction caused me to think deeply about my relationship to this world, my possessions, my time, and what I value. What is my relationship to the things of this world? Am I captive to my possessions and the temporal, or am I willing to let them all go for that which is eternal? As Jesus was kicking off His ministry, He shared the following with his disciples and anyone else within earshot of His voice: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:19-21). Jesus makes it abundantly clear here that we are investing in either the kingdom of this world, or the kingdom of heaven. Investment in this world is a mistake due to its temporal nature, while investment in heaven is eternal. The most striking part of these verses is the connection between our treasure and our heart.

Similarly, Jesus told a parable about the Kingdom of Heaven, comparing it to a treasure hidden in a field. It is incredibly brief, yet profoundly striking. The two succinct sentences are found in Matthew 13:44 – “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” There it is again, the connection between our treasure and our heart. Notice that he sold all he had to purchase the field – joyfully. It wasn’t a struggle, it wasn’t painful, it wasn’t begrudgingly, half-hearted, or lackadaisical- it was with joy! The sacrifice was easy, because the investment was worth so much more. We are in the very same situation, surrounded and tempted by the temporal when the value of the eternal is exceedingly greater.

I’m reminded of the quote from Jim Elliot’s journal, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Jim traveled light and he was called to give up the temporal for the eternal. I don’t know what God is calling you or me to sacrifice today, but I do know that He wants us to value eternal things over earthly things. This is undoubtedly a struggle for us as we live out our calling during our temporary stay here. As we wrestle, Paul reminds us where to steady our gaze. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18).

Happiness is a travel trailer! Our stay here is short, our mission is clear, our citizenship is in heaven – let us travel light.

In Him,

Andy