Garage Sale





A good garage sale makes Summer so special.  It is always exciting to shop in someone else's garage.  There is a great charm to looking over a table of books near a lawn mower.  Many people wait all year to find that one of a kind bargain.  Classic toys, antique clocks, and old vintage record players may be found.  A comfy couch is a great get, although sometimes you have to borrow a buddies truck to get it home.  The hunt is always the best part. 


On the other side of the sale is the host.  Lots of work goes into putting on a garage sale.  The seller often has mixed emotions.  Perhaps there is an item they are sure will sell but doesn’t.  Maybe the things they thought would not move are gobbled up right away.  And every good host needs to haggle well.  A garage sale highlights the need to let go of things.  Human beings are hoarders by nature.  People usually own way more stuff than needed.  A good purge is frequently in order.  A garage sale can clean out the house and help others at the same time.  The old saying is definitely true.  One person's trash is another's treasure! 


When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”  When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.  So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.  When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:1-8, NIV)


Jesus never avoided the deep dark places, no matter how painful and dangerous they may have seemed.  Surely he would enjoy a good garage sale today.  Deep sea fishing is akin to a modern day garage sale.  Jesus knew that deep waters hide much.  So he took Peter out into them.  Risky exploration is never the issue.  Avoidance always is.  Further, Jesus knows that what is hidden still has a tremendous affect on what is not.  Just because something is out of sight does not mean that it is out of mind.


Peter was like many of us.  He was courageous and bold, but also a part-time coward.  Peter was the two steps forward and one step back master.  He wanted things resolved yesterday, and did not seem to enjoy self-examination.  Who does?  When he went deep sea fishing with Jesus he was in awe and terror at the tremendous catch.  He realized two things.  One, there was a lot to bring up from down there.  Two, that Jesus has the ability to do this. 


Our souls frequently need to be purged and cleansed.  Spiritual presents are found when we tend to the junk that resides in our basements or deep waters.  It is good to know what is hiding down there.  Maturation only takes place through a process of awareness and examination.  A determination needs to be made on what is useful and what is not.  Are we carrying burdens we no longer need?  Is there a great gift that we have forgotten about?  Human souls are healthiest when they are light and nimble.  The spiritual discipline of simplicity is one that is too often ignored.  We always feel best when our lives are uncluttered.


Today is God’s Present!


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