Trash Day

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Philippians 3:7-9 NIV)

In our neighborhood, every Thursday is trash day.  Each week, my neighbors and I dutifully roll our trash bins to the curb, as well as our recyclables bin.  Unlike when I was a kid when everything was trash, now some things are viewed as reusable.  I thought about this passage this morning because of Paul’s use of the word garbage. (The Greek word he used is actually closer to our word sh** in meaning, but translators feel more comfortable with a less offensive translation.)  

Paul had been writing about his BC (before Christ) days and the picture he paints is one of his rolling out his old life to the curb and leaving it there.  It is garbage and he has no need for it.  It is now worthless.  

If you visit a landfill, you will likely find things that once were considered valuable by their former owners.  Television sets, computer monitors, pizza boxes whose contents caused eyes to light up and mouths to water, and remnants of once luscious fruits or vegetables. All once prized, now considered worthless.  

Paul had what his culture considered an enviable life.  He was educated and a prominent Jewish leader.  He was faithful to his religion and held in high esteem.  But one day, after an encounter with the Lord on his way to Damascus, Paul decided to take his past life and throw it into a trash bin.  With what He had now, he had no use for it any longer.  

When we meet Jesus and entrust our lives to Him, this really is how it should be.  The temptation from our enemy is to convince us to keep our old life because it is still quite useful to us.  But we need to recognize, like Paul, the garbage it really is.  Trusting in ourselves, living for ourselves, working to possess things that will not last or satisfy. In comparison to what we have in Jesus, indeed these things deserve to be thrown away.  

Can aspects of our old lives still be of use?  Yes, if we are willing to let God recycle them for Kingdom purposes.  Someone might have great business acumen and used it previously to enrich himself.  That same ability can be now used for the benefit of the Kingdom of God.  In the same way, past experiences can be recycled for the benefit of others.  It is clear from Paul’s numerous letters that he allowed the Lord to use his past life for the glory of His Kingdom.  It was garbage compared to Jesus, but the power of the Lord could turn it into something useful.

Today, how do you view your life before coming to know the Lord?  Are you still trying to hang onto it?  If so, let today be your trash day. Take your old life and roll it to the curb, letting God take it away.  He may recycle some of it for a better use, but the reality is it is just garbage compared to who He is and what He can provide you in its place.  

© Jim Musser 2016