A Time to Keep: A Time to Throw Away

 We’ve been working our way through Ecclesiastes 3 since Pentecost. Last time we considered what are the things we seek and those we lose. Today, we move onto the second part of verse 6 that says that in fact, there is a time to keep, and a time to throw away. Sometimes, probably more often than we do, we need to sort through our possessions, ideas, and spiritual leanings to see what needs to be kept and what can be gotten rid of.

Marie Kondo has become famous for her philosophy of a simpler lifestyle. For most of us, her ideas are overly drastic, but her statement that we should, “Keep only those things that speak to the heart, and discard items that no longer spark joy” is sound advice for considering what is and is not important. Her website says the method “places great importance on being mindful, introspective and forward-looking.”

Certainly, as we think about what we should keep and get rid of we need to "discard items that no longer spark joy" leaving a neat and tidy closet as in the image from her website. However, we don’t want to wholesale pack up all our books or mementoes or clothes. We don't want to get rid of all the spiritual practices and prayer disciplines we've used. We don't necessarily want or need to change our political preferences. What we need to do is look at whether or not we might still read the book, enjoy the memento, wear the dress, or pray the same prayers. We need to prayerfully consider who we follow (and vote for). 

It is true that sometimes our possessions can take over our lives so that we don’t have time for God. Jesus says, whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:25-26) Caring for and worrying about things we really don’t want or need can leave no time for enjoying those things and activities that benefit our souls and bodies.

After taking an inventory of both physical and spiritual things, we can decide which feed our soul. If it's no longer working, fitting, or feeling right, then we can, as Kondo says, "Thank them for their service--then let them go." Those things we decide to keep, we can then treasure more fully. In fact, the Hebrew word for ‘keep’ in this verse is translated as “to hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to”. We want to take special care of those things that are important for us. By ridding ourselves of items and ideas that no longer work, we can find more time to enjoy those practices and possessions that are meaningful. They become gifts for our hearts not just things in our house.

Keeping things or ideas that are no longer useful can mean we have to find places to keep them. In Luke 12, Jesus tells the Parable of the rich man who said, “I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life is being demanded of you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?” So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God.’ (Luke 12:15-21)

Jesus stresses that we should be rich towards God. Our spiritual possessions, like our physical ones, can take up space. Outdated ideas can take up space in our souls, leaving less room for God, just like clothes that don't fit take up room in our closets. Many of us, in this time of social distancing have spent some time sorting our possessions. Our viewpoint and mindset about God, politics, or people can need review as well. 

Those who live by a Rule of Life because of affiliation with a spiritual community like the Franciscans or Daughters of the King are encouraged to review their Rule annually. Even if you don’t have a formal, written, Rule of Life, you probably have an informal one that includes prayers you use regularly and worship activities you participate in. It can be helpful to look at those practices to see if they feel your soul.

Some (many) of us are trying new worship experiences online at churches we could not otherwise visit; or reading more email and online meditations and listening to new podcasts. Perhaps there are some spiritual practices that you are discovering you no longer need, and new ones you want to keep.

This COVID-tide is giving us an opportunity to take a "searching and fearless moral inventory" as the 12-step programs advocate. Along with sorting our drawers, cupboards, and closets we can review our beliefs, expectations, and assumptions. 

Have you spent time sorting through your possessions to get rid of a few things?

Have you done the same thing with your attitudes?

How about a spiritual inventory? How long has it been since you looked at your faith practices?

Next week, we come to verse seven which talks about tearing and sewing.