Keep Up With Your Stuff

by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan

This week, Liam attended baseball camp at Middle Georgia University with Coach Knight and his players. He loved every minute of it. He came home excited, tired, sweaty, and full of stories about what he had learned. The only part he did not enjoy was the process of getting there each morning.

Neither did I.

One of my goals for Liam, just as it was for my older children, is independence. At nine years old, I expect him to participate in preparing for his day. I can wash clothes, pack lunches, and help him organize his schedule, but eventually he must learn to keep up with his own belongings.

Unfortunately, Liam lives in what can only be described as organized chaos.

His shoes migrate throughout the house. His baseball helmet disappears. His towel develops legs and walks away. His sunscreen hides from us. His Crocs seem determined to exist in a different zip code every morning. Each day before camp began with a scavenger hunt through the house.

As I searched for missing equipment one morning, I realized something. I can prepare everything for Liam, but if he never learns to participate in the process, he will never become independent. At some point, he must take responsibility for his own stuff.

The thought stayed with me longer than I expected, and the same principle applies to our spiritual lives.

Liam cannot live vicariously through my relationship with Jesus. I cannot live through my mother’s relationship with Jesus. My husband cannot know Christ because I know Christ. Every one of us is responsible for cultivating our own relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Years ago, Chris and I attended Roddy Baptist Church together. We sat in many of the same Sunday School classes and listened to many of the same Bible teachers. Those teachers faithfully poured Scripture into us week after week, yet hearing the same lessons did not guarantee that we learned the same things.

A few nights ago, I told Chris a joke about Chick-fil-A using the salt from Lot’s wife to season their fries.

I laughed.

Chris looked at me and asked, “Who is Lot?” I stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter, then I asked the obvious question:

“How did we attend the same church, sit in the same classes, and listen to the same teachers, yet you don’t know who Lot is?”

His answer surprised me. “I wasn’t interested in any of that stuff then.”

That word stuck with me.

Stuff.

Many of us keep up with our jobs, hobbies, finances, schedules, and social media accounts. We know sports statistics. We know television characters. We know what everyone else is doing, yet we often neglect the very things that matter most.

Our spiritual stuff.

The Bible still tells the story of Lot and his wife. Thankfully, God’s Word still reveals His character and His truth. The Scriptures still guide us when we have not yet learned to recognize His voice. Yet, many believers own multiple Bibles and rarely open any of them.

The prophet Hosea wrote, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). That verse came to mind again later this week when Liam and I were riding home from baseball camp. Out of nowhere, he said, “Mama, I felt the heavy presence of Jesus today at practice. A heavy presence. He helped me learn, Mama.”

My response was immediate. “Well, come on, Jesus!”

Then Liam followed that statement with a question that completely changed the conversation. “Mama, will kids my age go to hell if they die before they get saved?” Suddenly, we were discussing salvation, free will, and the age of accountability somewhere between Cochran and home.

What struck me wasn’t just the question. What struck me was the fact that Liam thinks about these things at all. While he cannot remember where he left his Crocs, he spends a great deal of time contemplating eternity. He asks questions about heaven, salvation, prayer, and the character of God. He is actively tending to his spiritual stuff.

Our conversation reminded me that spiritual growth is always personal. Church attendance helps. Bible studies help. Christian friends help. Godly parents help. Yet, none of those things can replace a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. At the end of the day, each of us must decide whether we will pursue Him for ourselves.

So let me ask you the same question I have been asking myself all week: do you have your stuff together?

Not your closet.

Not your calendar.

Not your baseball equipment.

Your spiritual stuff.

Reflection

This week, I spent several mornings searching for baseball equipment. Liam could not find his helmet, his towel, his sunscreen, or his Crocs. As a mother, I want him to become independent, which means he must learn to take responsibility for his own belongings. While chasing down missing items throughout the house, I realized that the same principle applies to our spiritual lives.

No one can maintain our relationship with Jesus for us.

We cannot live off our spouse’s faith, our parents’ faith, our pastor’s faith, or our church members’ faith. Every believer must cultivate a personal relationship with Christ through prayer, Scripture, worship, and obedience. Spiritual maturity requires participation.

What struck me most this week was not Liam’s inability to locate his baseball gear, but his ability to recognize the presence of God. While riding home from camp, he told me, “Mama, I felt the heavy presence of Jesus today at practice.” Moments later, he was asking questions about salvation and eternity.

Liam may lose his Crocs, but he is paying attention to his spiritual stuff.

The older I get, the more I realize that many adults have mastered the opposite. We know where our keys are. We know our schedules. We know our passwords and account balances. Yet, many believers neglect the very relationship that matters most.

Scripture Study

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” — James 1:22 (ESV)

James reminds believers that hearing God’s Word is not enough, and information alone does not produce transformation. Spiritual growth occurs when we respond to what God teaches us and actively pursue a relationship with Him.

Many people attend church faithfully and hear excellent biblical teaching. Yet, spiritual maturity requires more than attendance. It requires personal engagement with God’s Word, consistent prayer, and a willingness to obey what He reveals.

Faith grows when we participate.

Keep up with your stuff!

Challenge

Take inventory of your spiritual stuff this week. When was the last time you opened your Bible outside of church? When was the last time you spent intentional time in prayer? What Scripture are you currently studying? What is God teaching you right now? Do not rely on someone else’s relationship with Christ to sustain your own.

Spend fifteen minutes each day this week reading Scripture and talking with the Lord. Begin where you are and allow Him to meet you there.

Prayer

Father,

Thank You for reminding me that relationships require investment. Forgive me for the times I have neglected the things that matter most while focusing on things that matter less. Help me to pursue You intentionally. Give me a hunger for Your Word and a desire to spend time in Your presence. Teach me to recognize Your voice, trust Your guidance, and grow deeper in my relationship with You. May I never become content living off someone else’s faith. Draw me closer to You and help me keep my spiritual priorities in order.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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