Nevada Appeal - Waterfall Photos - July 15
Nevada Appeal - Waterfall Fire Photos - July 15
Possessions
In light of the recent fire in Carson City and the resulting loss of property, my thoughts were caught up into the dilemma and problems of possessions. My heart and prayers go out to everyone who lost their homes and piece of mind in the fire. My reflections below are not meant as a criticism of these folks in any way.
It's a frightening yet fascinating thing to look at the interviews of people following a fire. Typically, the response is one of bewilderment, disorientation, and disbelief. The exception to this is when you find the rare family whose faith is based in God rather than property. The first thing from their mouths is something to the effect of, "my family is fine, everything else is replaceable."
As I pondered this situation I realized that the accumulation of wealth, property, and possessions is really an attempt to find security in something. I think the premise is: if I have lots of stuff, I will be more secure and safe. In a sense, the base need for spiritual security is being
augmented by possessions. The reality is, of course, that no amount of possessions will ever make us more secure spiritually. I think this is the basis of the disillusionment that you see in the faces of people after a disaster... this couldn't be happening to me, I have lots of stuff.
I think this is a principle that needs to be looked at more in our lives to make sure that we don't become ensnared in the false principle that possessions can bring security. By extension, this could be not only houses and real estate, but cars, clothes, and guns. We begin to seek and sense security though the physical rather than the spiritual. Now, to some extent, have some possessions is necessary and isn't bad. Having a modest home, reliable transportation, and reasonable apparel is necessary to our day-to-day living. But there does reach a point when possessions are obtained to gratify our egos and hence become the foundation of a false sense of security. We begin to rely (in the works of the scriptures) more upon the arm of flesh than on the arm of God.
So, as is common with gospel principles, we need to ask the question, answer it honestly, and if the shoe fits Cinderella...
