A break for freedom. All Vern could think about was making it through the gap in the door and out into the world where the possibilities were endless. He didn’t care that he had a huge fenced in back yard to play in. No, that wasn’t enough. He had to have more. More space and places to discover. More smells and underbrush to climb through.
Isn’t it funny to think about how we are all very similar to Vern? Some people have been given lots of space and others very little. But no matter how much we have, we all tend to hunger for more. If it isn’t space, it can be things. Just an additional this or that to add to what we already possess.
This past weekend, I was camping in a state park when I saw an older woman and a young boy come cruising around the corner on a golf cart. She slowed down to tell us how much she liked our camper and we began conversing. She shared that four years ago, she and her husband sold everything they owned and have been living in their camper that has only a little over 250 square feet for all of their belongings.
When I asked her how difficult it was to give up her stuff, she said that it was quite freeing. Instead of obtaining things and space, she had given it all up for a lifestyle of travel and exploring our great country.
Jesus was also a man with no possessions. When he headed out of Nazareth to preach to the world about an eternal kingdom, he had no belongings. And never once did he ask for a material thing. Instead, he spent his time sharing about a kingdom that wasn’t physical but spiritual in nature, where people could find joy and peace that would outlive all of the things of this world. If only we could change our mindset about the things we covet so close to our hearts.
Thankfully, Vern didn’t make it far. He was caught in the neighbor’s yard and brought back inside where he is now sleeping peacefully on the couch. I am sure he will try and escape once again. And when he does, I will remember how similar we are, and forgive the little guy as he returns safely into our arms.
