Faith brings a bag

I was slipping on my shoes Saturday morning when Jeff made the simple suggestion:

“Why don’t you bring a bag with you?”

Ah. A bag. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I guess because I never actually set out to pick up trash. I just set out to walk, I never think of the trash thing until I’m out and there it is and then I’m looking for the nearest garbage can.

A bag. What a great idea! I could easily take along an old plastic grocery bag. He pulled one out from beneath the sink and I headed out to my route.

Now, forgive the very basic observations, but it was interesting how having a bag completely changed my perspective on trash. See, although I’m happy to stoop and pick it up, it does cause a slight irritation. First, I have to hold it in my bare hand. Yuck. Then I have to search for the nearest available trash can. Then I have to sneak said item into the trash. All of this, done over and over and over, can become fairly irritating.

I’m not sure why it had never occurred to me to prepare in advance for these interruptions. But I’ve been studying through the gospels, looking at how Jesus’ ministry was largely in response to interruption. When a problem, need, or question arose, He was ready to stop, stoop, and help. He was prepared. This enabled him to enter into each need without irritation.

Having a bag completely changed my perspective on trash. When I went out empty-handed, each piece of garbage felt like an inconvenience. I would try not to look too hard for more trash, because my hands were already full.

Now, with a bright-yellow Grocery Outlet bag in my hand, I looked a little odd but I found myself eager to find trash, because I was prepared. It was easy. I had plenty of space for each item, and did’t even have to carry them in my bare hands!

In the gospels, first Jesus sends out disciples with nothing — no staff, no bag, no bread, no extra tunic, nothing. Later, Jesus sends out the gospels with extra supplies — a purse, a bag, even a sword (!). It seems to me that Jesus is teaching them two things: Faith & Preparation.

First, He teaches them faith. By taking nothing, they have to trust. Jesus is their provider. But second, He teaches them preparation. Though they know that Jesus provides, they are also responsible for doing their part to be prepared.

I order to respond well to the world’s needs with faith and preparation.

See, Optimism says, “There won’t be any trash! I’m sure the streets will be spotless!” Ha. We know how true that is.

Pessimism and Cynicism say, “There will be way too much trash for us to ever handle. Besides, if we pick it up there will just be more tomorrow. There’s no point in even trying.”

But Faith says, “There will be trash, it’s true. And it’s true, there will be more tomorrow. But I’ll take my bag and trust that I can handle however much trash God calls me to pick up.” 

This is also true of life, right? Optimism says, “There won’t be any problems!”

Pessimism and Cynicism say, “There will be way too many problems! Forget even trying!”

Faith says, “Yes, there will be troubles, but I’ll bring a bag along and God will equip me to handle whatever comes my way.” 

So yes, a bright yellow Grocery Outlet bag reminded me to enter life with eyes-wide-open, fully prepared by faith, to pick up whatever problems come our way.

The next time you go for a walk, consider taking a bag. 🙂

{Thanks for reading.}