Rubbish
This morning as I was doing my devotional I was reading in Philippians chapter 3:
Philippians 3:7-8
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Rubbish Paul says. Everything except for Christ is rubbish. MacArthur says that the Greek word translated rubbish in most translations is a very strong word that could also be interpreted “waste”, “dung”, “manure”, or “excrement.” In others words POOP! Paul is calling everything poop. Well at least in comparison sake to “the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus.”
As often happens this passage took on new form for me this morning. I have read and studied this passage before, but there was extra emphasis today. With all the current economic woes and worries of America of late I have been reflecting more on my own consumerism. In other words I have been wondering why I have such an overwhelming need to always seek the latest and greatest whatever. Somehow I always trick myself into believing that Product X will finally satisfy me or make me more complete. Sure I don’t say that out loud or even consciously sometimes, but that is in essence what I am telling myself by continually pursuing worldly things.
That is how the serpent hooked Adam and Eve. It was the idea that their was something better out there then what they currently possessed. That the fruit would make them more complete and satisfied then their present state. What a HUGE lie. Yet even though I know it is a lie I continue to let Satan sell it to me everyday as well. He convinces me over and over that I need something else to make me happy. To complete my joy.
Paul didn’t seem to have that problem when he wrote this passage. He clearly states that everything this world has to offer is poop. That’s right my house, car, tv, computer, even my iPhone is poop. At first that idea freaks me out and even saddens me a little bit, but then again how awesome would it be to really believe and live that way. Free from consumerism. Free from greed. Free from the need for anything else. Just simply content in our Lord Jesus Christ.
So how did he get there? I am not sure there are steps or processes to follow, but rather I think it is about relationship, love, and surrender. You know the personal, abstract, hard stuff. I don’t know how he got there, but I sure want to join him. I have to believe that is God’s desire for all of us. To be free from rubbish. To be free to be content. To be free to give all we have to others. To be free in Him and Him alone.
–Wholly Surrender!