It’s amazing the difference that a little experience makes.
Actually, a lot of experience. After a month of painting our house (for those who haven’t known or haven’t been paying attention, I mean the exterior, not interior), I’m much less bothered by getting up on a ladder, or on our roof, to address house issues. I wouldn’t call myself fearless, but definitely much less bothered.
A few years ago, a small water stain appeared on the ceiling of our living room/dining room. The stain was by a wall, but the leak was farther up on the roof, at a vent. A local handyman diagnosed the issue, and recommended that instead of paying him, I get some sealant and caulk around the vent. The whole procedure was performed without incident, but it was a learning experience for me.
Fast forward about five years, and we get another water stain (same room, slightly different spot). I know exactly what to do. While I’m sealing the vent edges, I can’t help but think about how that’s how things exist in this world; stuff wears out. It breaks, cracks, yellows, stains, dries out, molds, wears out or just starts looking old. Sometimes we get excited about the prospect of replacing something worn out with something new (see: Tom plus computer equipment), other times we fret, fume and curse about having to deal with with the huge expense or bother (see: Tom and plumbing). As much as we might try to avoid it, stuff doesn’t last in this world.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said:
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart is also.
For those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their savior, they will someday exist in a place where entropy has no hold on their ecology. Things will not break down, grow stale or wear out. Whatever is built will last.
I love to build things. I started with Lego’s, moved to an erector set. Now, typically, I build with software. So, I have an appreciation for well-engineered creations. However, as cool that brand-new Volkswagen may look, someday it will wear out. If I truly believed that, I might approach how I spend my money and my time very differently.
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