“Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all of these things shall be added unto you.”  Matthew 6:33

“Set  your mind on things above, not on earthly things.”  Col. 3:2

“I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”  U2

Last week I took a break from writing this blog, the reason being I was attending a three day dementia retreat in Bloomington, Indiana.  The setting was conducive to rest, reflection, and spiritual renewal. You can see it here:  Tibetan Buddhist Center When I returned and walked into my house, I was struck by all the things that I have, and all the things I have to do to take care of those things. I gave thought to the time ten years ago when I sold my house and got rid of many of my worldly possessions.  It was so freeing!!  But now I have filled my life up again with all of these things that demand so much of my time, money, and attention.  It is like living with a petulant child who is constantly crying out.  I feel like Rick Moranis in the movie “Little Shop of Horrors” whose character is in bondage to the plant Audrey.  “Feed Me Seymour!”

What things do you have?  Take a look around.  What is it that catches your eye?  What things do you use every day—such as indoor plumbing, fresh water flowing from a tap, electricity—that are such treasured conveniences that you never give much thought to?  What things decorate your house and make your life more pleasant?  What things aren’t really necessary, aren’t really things that you need, but things that you enjoy having?  And now consider which of these things nourishes your soul, frees your spirit, and fills you with the feeling of really living.

The “things” that make life meaningful aren’t things, are they?  Love, Faith, Grief, Kindness, and other “valuables” aren’t things, are they? They are gifts of The Spirit for our spirits.  These are they which feed our souls.  Vivify us.  Make us whole.

The extent to which one values these eternal treasures varies with each individual.   One may or may not place much of a priority on the things that aren’t tangible and useful in a transactional way.  And yet that is what appears to be the priority for both Jesus and St. Paul.  Neither of them had many earthly things.  In fact, Paul said that he considered everything garbage compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8).  As far as I can tell neither of them had a house, or all of the things that we consider to be essential.  It’s a sobering thought, isn’t it?  To value some THING else other than earthly things; to seek first the Kingdom of God.

But what does that mean?  That’s the question I have been asking myself.  It’s not a sin as such to have “stuff”, and to enjoy it.  But perhaps it IS sinful to treasure earthly things above heavenly treasures.  Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do no break in and steal (Matthew 6:19-21).  What does that mean to you?

When I left ministry and life as I knew it ten years ago I was seeking something more.  Everything that I had “stored up”—house, car, career, accomplishments, success, etc.—no longer meant anything.  I would like to believe that I was seeking heavenly treasures.  To an extent I found some of it at Iona.  But I’m still seeking, and always will be.  In the words of another great theologian named Bono, “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”   In invite you to join me on this life journey.

I would also invite you to join me on another earthly journey to the place that I consider most sacred for me:  the Isle of Iona.  I’ll be taking a group in September of 2027.  Following is a brief description.  If you are interested and would like more details please see the link below and/or reach out to me at [email protected]

C:\Users\Owner\OneDrive\Documents\Scotland 2027\Travel Itinerary.pdf