Sermon ― - Sunday School Picnic
June 24, 2007
Too Much Stuff!!!
(Pack a backpack for a hiking trip. Throw in all kinds of useless stuff until there is no more room for the important things.
When you turn around, you realize that all of the things you really need are still lying on the ground.
Take out all of the ‘stuff’ and replace it with necessities like a sleeping bag, warm clothes, food, a compass, shelter, etc.
Then look at all the ‘stuff’.)
Wow, I guess I really didn’t need all of that stuff.
You know, this makes me think about a story in the Bible. It’s the parable of the prodigal son.
(Read Luke 15:11-32)
You see, the prodigal son thought that joy comes from things that you buy. But he soon realized that parties and nice clothes don’t last forever. When he finally decided to return home, he was welcomed with open arms. And he realized that the joy found in the love of a family is long lasting. He knows this because his father never stopped hoping that he would return. His father never stopped loving him.
I would like to tell you another story. There was once a little girl named Ashley who liked to collect all sorts of things. She collected empty matchbooks, chocolate bar wrappers, tooth paste tubes and decks of playing cards that didn’t have any 5’s. Ashley thought 5 was an unlucky number. All of these things she kept in her pockets. Ashley’s pockets were FULL.
One day she decided to add tinfoil to her collection. But when she tried to stuff the brand new ball of tinfoil in her pocket she realized that there was no more room. So she ran to her mother and gave her a big hug. Her mother said oh thank-you what is this for. Then Ashley said, “Mother, can you please make another pocket for my pants. I don’t have room for my ball of tinfoil.
When Ashley’s pants were finished, she ran outside right away to show her friends the most recent addition to her collection. “Wow, that’s as big as my brothers’ mini basketball!” exclaimed Jasmine.
The next morning, Ashley discovered something new she could add to her collection. “Drier lint!” she exclaimed. But as she tried to stuff it into her pocket, she discovered that there between the empty matchbooks, chocolate bar wrappers, toothpaste tubes, the decks of playing cards that didn’t have any 5’s, and the giant roll of tinfoil, there was no room for drier lint.
So she ran to her mother and gave her a big hug. Her mother said oh what would you like today? Then Ashley said, “Mother, can you please, please make another pocket for my pants. I don’t have room for my dryer lint!
Ashley’s mom smiled. “I suppose I could make another pocket for your pants.”
When Ashley’s pants were finished, she ran outside right away to show her friends the most recent addition to her collection. “That is so cool. I bet you could make the softest pillow in the world if you collected enough of it!” Mark said with a chuckle.
The next morning, Ashley discovered something new she could add to her collection. “Toilet paper rolls!” The uses were endless. She could use them for forts, telephones, funny hats, even binoculars. But as she tried to stuff it into her pocket, she discovered that there between the empty matchbooks, chocolate bar wrappers, toothpaste tubes, the decks of playing cards that didn’t have any 5’s, the giant roll of tinfoil, and dryer lint, there was no room for toilet paper rolls.
So she ran to her mother and gave her a big hug. Her mother said, “Oh, is there something you want? Then Ashley said, “Mother, can you please, please, please make another pocket for my pants. I need a place to keep toilet paper rolls.”
When Ashley’s pants were finished, she ran outside right away to show her friends the most recent addition to her collection. Jimmy was impressed. “I wish I thought about collecting toilet paper rolls!”
That evening Ashley and her friends went to the Galaxyland Amusement Park at the West Edmonton Mall. They chose to go on the roller coaster. Ashley and everyone were laughing and screaming as the cars zigged and zagged. But suddenly they went upside-down and Ashley stopped having fun. Everything she had collected fell out of her pockets.
There were no more empty matchbooks, chocolate bar wrappers, toothpaste tubes, decks of playing cards that didn’t have any 5’s, giant rolls of tinfoil, dryer lint, and no more toilet paper rolls. Ashley’s pockets were empty. But suddenly, something strange happened.
Ashley began to jump around and dance. Her friends asked her what was wrong. “Nothing’s wrong,” she explained, “I am just happy because I feel so light.”
When she got home, Ashley ran to her mother and gave her a big hug. Her mother said, “I guess you would like another pocket for your pants?” Ashley smiled her biggest smile. “No, I was hoping that you would take my pockets off my pants.”
Her mother smiled back. “Sure.”
As she walked away Ashley turned over her shoulder, “I love you,” she said.
When we try to pack up all kinds of stuff, we forget to leave room for the things that really matter like our family at home and at church, our friends and most importantly, Jesus.
Earlier, when I was packing for my hiking trip, I tried to bring all kinds of things that I really didn’t need. I tried to take along a computer, some movies… even an electric toothbrush. But all of those things wouldn’t have fed me or protected me from the elements. They would have only served to make me tired.
These stories and the lesson I learned while packing for my hiking trip tell me that God loves me so much. Even when I pack all kinds of things into my life that I don’t need God still embraces me with open arms when I really need him.
Let’s pray.
God, thank you for making room for us. And welcoming us back with open arms even though we are sometimes wasteful and materialistic.
We know that sometimes we collect all kinds of stuff until we run out of space for you. And when we do this we forget about the true joy that comes from making room in our lives for family and friends and you.
Help us to let go of the things that do not last and to make room for joy.
In the name of Jesus we pray. AMEN.