Judy Mills

  • home
  • about
  • blog
  • Contact
  • The Bible Study
  • 52 Ways to Glorify God

February 12, 2016

Way #45 – Did we really need all this stuff?

Way #45

I started last fall and the project continues today. I’m going through every closet, both attics, and eventually every drawer and cabinet in the house, getting rid of everything we no longer want or need. We’ve accumulated a lot of “stuff.” Items that once seemed so needed and important are little more than clutter now. I keep thinking: “Why’d we buy all this? Did we really need all this stuff?

The other day, my frustration with our apparent waste turned into a realization: Hadn’t this “stuff” once served a useful purpose? Were not memories created, talents and hobbies explored, and needs met, all part of forming us into the people we are today?

  • The half-used bottles of paint and boxes filled with all manner of art supplies were part of making our oldest daughter into the artist God created her to be.
  • The cookbooks and kitchen gadgets were part of our other daughter’s expressing and developing her love of cooking.
  • The sporting equipment had been used to develop a variety of skills in all three of our children.
  • Without a doubt, the large box of old journals were part of God growing me into the woman I am today.

All of it was part of our becoming the people we are today.

This parallels a conversation I had with a longtime friend. We talked about our “stuff.” Not specific items, but the lump sum of it and the regret we fight because of it. The “could haves, should haves, wished I would and wished I wouldn’t haves.”  I started thinking: What if God is using all our “stuff” to make us into the people He created us to be? What if we are no worse off, perhaps even better off, because we walked through it? What if we’re where we are and who we are today because of it? What if God is using all of it to do His good work in us?

Isn’t that the promise of Romans 8:28? “We know that in all things God works for the good of  those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

God — the One who can, the One who has the power and deep desire to work on our behalf —

causes all things — absolutely all of them, no exceptions — to work together for our good.

The Amplified Version puts it like this:

“We are assured of and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.”

The condition to the promise is clear. It’s for those who love God, those who are called and choosing to live for the purpose for which we were created: for His glory! (Isaiah 43:7).

God fights for His people; He always has and always will. He fights for your highest good and greatest blessing — both of which are expressed in Romans 8:29:

“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son.”

If we let Him, God will use our “stuff” to make us more like Jesus. None of what we’ve done or experienced needs to be wasted. All of it can be used for our good. All of it can bring Him glory.

Think about it:

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all — how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:31-32, 37)

In all your “stuff,” in all that invokes regret, practice Way #45 of 52 Ways to Glorify God:

Let go of the regret and trust God to work all things for your good.

Let me leave you with one more promise:

“The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it!”  1 Thessalonians 5:24

Judy Mills

Filed Under: 52 Ways to Glorify God, the glory of God Tagged With: His glory, our good, our stuff

Older
Newer

Comments

  1. Beth says

    February 12, 2016 at 4:06 pm

    Powerful. Really need you words today

    Reply
    • Judy Mills says

      February 25, 2016 at 5:38 pm

      Beth, Every comment of yours blesses me deeply! Thank you!!!

      Reply
  2. Barbara Adair says

    February 13, 2016 at 3:12 am

    Oh, My!! When I started reading I thought “this is going to make me feel extremely guilty about all the stuff I’ve collected over the years”!! Thanks for helping me understand that all these things have had a purpose in molding me and my family into what we are……and hopefully into what God wants us to be. However, I’m certainly at the time in life when I am ready to acknowledge the need to conquer some of this clutter as well as pass on some of the precious possessions that I’ve enjoyed for so many years. Thank you, Judy!!

    Reply
    • Judy Mills says

      February 25, 2016 at 5:38 pm

      Barbara, You are an amazing blessing!!! Thanks for sharing! And there’s nothing wrong with all that stuff!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Search the Blog:

Join the community & receive a printable list of 52 Ways to Glorify God!

The Ultimate Joy Study:

 

Find out more!

Recent Posts:

  • A Probing Question for This Time
  • A powerful new vision for the New Year
  • When the unthinkable, seemingly unbearable happens
  • God’s beautiful perspective of your life
  • What should be the most important thing in your life?
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Judy Mills · Tiemeyer Design

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT