27 May

Enduring truths for recent graduates

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Fourteen years ago I wrote an article  for my newspaper column with some advice for recent grads.  It has become one of the most popular pieces I ever wrote. I’ve received dozens of emails thanking me for writing it.  Therefore, I decided to  republish it annually around graduation time.  I hope some of you might find it useful.  Although I wrote it specifically for recent high school graduates, I believe it is equally applicable to recent college graduates.

For those who are graduating high school this year and beginning the long transition into adulthood, I’d like to offer you a gift. Here are five enduring truths I have learned. They will help you through life’s journey.

Choices

“If you decide to just go with the flow, you’ll end up where the flow goes, which is usually downhill, often leading to a big pile of sludge and a life of unhappiness. You’ll end up doing what everyone else is doing.” â€• Sean Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

 Life will deal you an endless string of choices along the way.  Some will be trivial, like deciding what to wear today.  Others will be weighty and their outcomes will affect you forever.  Weighty decisions should always be preceded by much thought and soul searching.  This includes decisions about who you date or marry, what you put into your body, bringing children into the world, what you do for a living, how much debt you incur and who you associate with.

All of these decisions will have a lasting effect on your life. Therefore, make them slowly and deliberately. Often you’ll discover that the right choice is not the easiest one.  A habit of making poor choices will, as the Sean Covey quote suggests, drag your life downhill.

I was recently contacted by a young man who had just received a bad conduct discharge from the Navy.  He asked me how the discharge would impact his future employability.  His mistake was choosing to drive a car while intoxicated and hitting a pedestrian. Fortunately, the victim wasn’t seriously injured. Had it been otherwise, the young sailor would probably be in prison.  It was my sad responsibility to inform him that with some employers the discharge would be a black mark for life. Choices matter!

 Learning

“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.”    ―Vernon Saunders Law, former professional baseball pitcher and Cy Young Award winner

Some of you will go on to college or technical school.  Others will enter the workforce.  Even if your formal education is over, don’t quit learning. Make learning a lifelong adventure.  I did my undergraduate work at the University of Kentucky.  The school offers a fellowship program for individuals aged 65 and older to attend classes tuition free. Every year numerous senior citizens walk the stage to receive degrees ranging from Associate of Arts to Doctor of Philosophy.  It’s never too late to learn.

Even if you don’t choose to continue formal learning, make it point to learn from life. Observe others; note their successes and failures; then learn from their experiences.  More importantly, learn from your own mistakes.

Some of the greatest lessons I’ve learned, particularly those while serving in uniform, were the result of having made a terrible mistake.  This sort of lesson sticks, like the first time you grab the handle of a hot iron skillet with your bare hand.  The key to learning from mistakes is owning them.  Admit your mistakes and then move on, having learned something from the experience.  Don’t let, “It wasn’t my fault,” be part of your vocabulary.

 Work

“A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”  â€•Colin Powell, retired U.S. Army four-star general and former U.S. Secretary of State

Work isn’t always fun. If it were, they’d call it play.  Work can be downright unpleasant, but it’s an essential element of life! Along the way you’re going to have jobs you won’t like. Note what you don’t like and make it a point to improve yourself, so you’ll never again have to work at such a job.

Accepting a job means submitting to the authority of those placed over you.  Learn to work within this system.   You’ll inevitably have bosses you don’t like.  Learn to respect the position, if not the individual.

Fairness

“Life is not fair; get used to it.” â€•Bill Gates, founder and former CEO, Microsoft Corporation

You will hear much discussion about fairness in this life. It’s all hot air.  Life isn’t fair.  Some good people die young, while some bad people live a long life.   Disease sometimes strikes arbitrarily, for no apparent reason.  Some people prosper while others suffer failure. A death or accident can change your life forever.

There is randomness to life that can’t be avoided.  Don’t expect kindness to be returned with kindness.  Don’t expect generosity to be returned with generosity.  The best choice is to be fair and kind to others and learn to accept what they return to you.

A wise man named Harry Browne ran for president of the United States on the Libertarian Party ticket. On Christmas day in 1966, Browne wrote his young daughter a letter aptly titled, “A Gift for My Daughter.”  I encourage every graduating senior to read it and digest it. In the letter, he explains to his daughter that, “Nobody owes you anything.”  Understanding what Browne meant can truly bless you. You can find it at: https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2015/12/harry-brownes-christmas-letter-to-his-daughter/  .

Faith

“A faith is a necessity to a man. Woe to him who believes in nothing.”  â€•Victor Hugo

I once had a senior Army officer tell me he preferred to work with men who possessed spiritual values, regardless of their religion.  He explained that having faith in a power higher than one’s self was an indicator of how one will perform under pressure; in this instance, the pressure meant combat.

Too many people place their faith in all the wrong places.  It might be in wealth, celebrity, good looks, talent, or even government.  Whatever the case, misplaced faith leads to disappointment after disappointment.

To avoid these disappointments, put your faith in God alone.  You, your loved ones and your friends will all inevitably let you down, but God will never fail you.

5 Apr

Resurrection Sunday – Easter 2026

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , .

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

 The resurrection of Christ by Raphael

1 Corinthians 15 (ESV)

The Resurrection of Christ

15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.  20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

 May God bless you and keep you on this holiest of days!

4 Jan

The God of your days and nights

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, advice, Bible, christ, Christian, Christianity, depression, Faith, Fear, Happiness, Hope, Jesus, New Year, Oswald Chambers, Religion, trust, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Imagine, for a moment, that God really is who he says he is: the God of your days and your nights, of your future and your past; the God of all. What an impertinence worry is! Set aside your worries, and let your attitude be one of eager adventure.  –Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Jan. 2

2 Jan

A new year and new beginnings

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Anglican, Apostle Paul, Bible, christ, Christian, Christianity, Faith, Grace, Holy Spirit, Religion, simplicity, Sin. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

The New Year has arrived and for many it’s a time for making resolutions and new beginnings—trying to set aside bad habits and/or adopt new, beneficial routines. Unfortunately, for most people it’s nearly impossible to succeed in such endeavors. 

A Forbes Magazine article published in January 2013 reported on a study conducted at the University of Scranton. It indicated that only about 8 percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions achieve their goals. Looking at this a different way, 92 percent fail! Despite the slim chance of succeeding, many will continue to make New Year’s resolutions year after year. 

The Bible is full of promises and stories about new beginnings.

  • Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
  • Ezekiel 36:26 – “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
  • John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
  • 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
  • Ephesians 4:22-24 – “…the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
  • 1 Peter 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
  • Revelation 21:5 – “And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’.”

Fortunately for us all, God makes new beginnings and he never fails if we will simply let him do His work.  His greatest new beginning was foretold in the Old Testament, described in the Gospels, and recounted in the Epistles. It was God’s gift of His son Jesus to save us from our sins.

Christ’s salvation of mankind was completed over 2,000 years ago through Jesus’ crucifixion. His resurrection from the dead on the third day is evidence of Jesus’ victory over Sin and Death.

Jesus died to cleanse all mankind from their sins.  For those who don’t already know him, that salvation is like a beautifully wrapped present sitting beneath a Christmas tree.  The present has no owner until someone picks up the package, opens it, takes the gift inside, and makes it their own.

St. Paul describes how to do this in his epistle to the Romans. There is no long list of do’s and don’ts.  God’s plan of salvation is beautiful in its simplicity, requiring only confession and sincere belief.

“…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”  Romans 10:9-10

Martin Luther wrote about what it means to be “justified” before god, saying that justification is a “… righteousness that God gives freely by His grace to people who don’t have righteousness of their own.”  Even though those who have accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation will continue to sin, because of Christ’s sacrifice they remain righteous in the eyes of God. It is my hope that you have already received this free gift.  If not, however, please consider making it your own today!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and of peace there
will be no end, on the throne of David and over his
kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice
and with righteousness from this time forth and  
forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:6-7

*All Bible citations are ESV.

25 Dec

Unto us a child is born…

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Advent, advice, Anglican, Bible, christ, Christian, Christianity, Christmas, death, discipleship, Faith, forgiveness, Freedom, Hope, Jesus, joy, simplicity, Sin. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

“Oh come let us adore him!”

“My dear friends, on this Christmas . . . let us seek, in the Babe of Bethlehem, the One who came to us in order to bear with us everything that weighs heavily upon us. . . . God Himself has built a bridge from Himself to us! A dawn from on high has visited us!”

Rev. Martin NiemĂśller
Dachau Concentration Camp, Dachau, Germany
Christmas Eve, 1944

Isaiah 9:1-7 (NIV)    For to Us a Child Is Born

1But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon[d] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called[e]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

4 Dec

Happy St. Barbara’s Day

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Christian, Christianity, Jesus, Military, simplicity, spiritual. Tagged: , , , .

Happy St. Barbara’s Day to all of my Field Artillery brothers and sisters.

Legend has it that Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen, was tragically beheaded by her own father, a nobleman in the Roman Empire, for her devotion to Christianity. Shortly after, in a twist of fate, her father was struck down by lightning during a sudden, violent storm. Consequently, Saint Barbara is revered as the patroness of those facing thunderstorms, fire, explosions, or the risk of sudden death.

In the early days of warfare, artillerymen often encountered cannon misfires, muzzle bursts, and weapon explosions. Artillery crews turned to Saint Barbara for protection. She has been protecting artillerymen for hundreds of years and has become an integral part of the Field Artillery’s heritage. Today, she continues to be honored as the patron saint for all artillerymen, depicted standing by a cannon or holding a chalice and sacramental wafer.

30 Nov

Advent 2025

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Anglican, christ, Christian, Christianity, Faith, Holy Spirit, Jesus, joy, Prayer, Religion, simplicity, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Almighty God, as we begin this season of Advent,

we thank you for your grace and mercy in sending your son Jesus

to be our Savior and Lord.

We confess that we have not always lived in the light of His coming,

and we have often wandered from your ways.

Forgive us, we pray, and renew us by your Spirit,

that we may watch and pray for His glorious return,

and follow Him in holiness and love.

Grant us, O Lord, the wisdom to discern the signs of the times,

and the courage to proclaim the good news of His kingdom

to a world in need of hope.

In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

27 Nov

Help my unbelief

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, advice, Apostle Paul, Bible, christ, Christian, Christianity, Daily Devotional, discipline, Faith, Jesus, Oswald Chambers, Prayer, Simple Living, spiritual, Thanksgiving. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , .

The phrase “Help my unbelief” comes from Mark 9:24, where a desperate father pleads with Jesus to heal his son, saying, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”. This powerful request acknowledges the human struggle with doubt, while expressing a desire to be faithful.

How can anyone who is identified with Jesus Christ suffer from doubt or fear! Our lives in him should be psalms of irrepressible, triumphant belief. –Oswald Chambers

I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. –Galatians 2:20*

So how does a Christian live by faith in Jesus?  I’ve often asked myself this question as I ponder life. I think I might be getting closer to finding the answer.

“Keep the faith baby!” We’ve all heard this or something similar. So how much faith is enough?  In Matthew 17, Jesus tells us that faith “the size of a mustard seed” is enough to move a mountain. Hmmm, I have a couple of pretty big mountains in my life that I want to move, but so far, they’re still there to greet me every morning when I awake.  Apparently, I lack the ability to muster even a tiny mustard seed worth of faith—and this frustrates and disappoints me.

Happily, I believe I might have found the root cause of my failure. My faith lacks persistence. Paul points to persistence in 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18, which exhorts us to, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” If one meditates on this short passage, I believe they’ll find that it contains some pretty tough marching orders.

Persistent faith is surrendering one’s will to God’s will, not a product of personal willpower, but a result of trusting His plan for your life, even when it’s unclear to you. This act of surrender means relinquishing personal control and aligning one’s life with a higher purpose, leading to strength and peace found in God’s wisdom rather than one’s own. It is an ongoing process of daily submission, acknowledging one’s own limitations and trusting in God’s provision.  

Matthew 14:29-31 is a wonderful example of impersistent faith.  As Jesus is walking on the water in the Sea of Galilee, he approaches the boat where his disciples are struggling in a violent storm. “Come,” he said (to Peter). Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 

In this lesson, Peter was doing fine while he focused on Jesus, but when he shifted his focus from Jesus to the great wind of the storm he began to doubt. Like a new military recruit struggling to qualify with his weapon on a rifle range, Peter failed because he took his eye off the target, Jesus.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James1:2-3

As I’ve noted before, Jesus was and remains the God of the Impossible for those who come to him as their Lord and Savior. I believe this in my heart.  Believing is easy when things are going my way. I’m trying hard to learn how to put this into action when the going gets too tough for me to handle. Every day I try to meditate on Psalm 143 as part of my daily devotions. I find verses 8 – 10 to be a great source of encouragement and comfort, especially when I feel overwhelmed by life. I hope you might find them equally useful.

 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.
Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
    lead me on level ground.  

On this national holiday dedicated to giving thanks, let us give thanks to the Lord our God for all his blessings and provision in the past year and in the years to come. May He lead us all on level ground.

Now Thank We All Our God, performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7gMDXylzW8

*All Bible quotes are NIV

8 Oct

Stop This Train

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Adversity, advice, Aging, Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, Fear, Hope, Jesus, Music, Religion, simplicity, slow down, trust. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

I don’t mention it very often, but I’m a big blues guitar fan. Most of the blues guitarists I like would make any top 100 best list.  They include, in no particular order, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray, Bo Diddley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, B.B. King and Joe Bonamassa.  I would add the oft underrated Jon Mayer to this distinguished list. If you won’t take my word for it, Eric Clapton said Mayer, “doesn’t even know how good he is” and has called him a “master” guitarist.

While he is not lauded as a poet or lyricist, many of Mayers’ songs have wonderful lyrics.  One of my favorites is “Stop This Train. The lyrics are a reflection on Mayer’s stressful, fast-moving life and his struggle to deal with the inevitability of aging.

Mayer’s father Richard is Jewish. The younger Mayer has publicly spoken of his personal identification with Judaism. I like to think the lyrics to this song reflect some of this religious identification. Here’s my take on the lyrics. I’ve printed them below.

Stop This Train 

Lyrics Credit: http://www.songlyrics.com

No, I’m not color blind
I know the world is black and white
I try to keep an open mind
But I just can’t sleep on this, tonight

Stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can’t take the speed it’s moving in
I know I can’t
But, honestly, won’t someone stop this train?

Don’t know how else to say it
I don’t want to see my parents go
One generation’s length away
From fighting life out on my own

Stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can’t take the speed it’s moving in
I know I can’t
But, honestly, won’t someone stop this train?

So scared of getting older
I’m only good at being young
So I play the numbers game
To find a way to say that life has just begun

Had a talk with my old man
Said, “Help me understand”
He said, “Turn sixty-eight
You’ll renegotiate”

“Don’t stop this train
Don’t for a minute change the place you’re in
And don’t think I couldn’t ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly, we’ll never stop this train”

Once in a while, when it’s good
It’ll feel like it should
When you’re all still around
And you’re still safe and sound
And you don’t miss a thing
‘Till you cry when you’re driving away in the dark
Singing, stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can’t take the speed it’s moving in
I know, I can’t
‘Cause now I see I’ll never stop this train.

Lyrics Credit: http://www.songlyrics.com

Trusting God When Life Won’t Slow Down

The lyrics captures a feeling that many who read this will know too well—a longing to slow down, escape the rush, and to return to a simpler time. But as Christ followers we’re reminded that while we can’t stop the train of time, we can trust Him who created the foundation upon which the train tracks are laid.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. —Proverbs 3:5-6

The Inevitability of Aging

Mayer’s lyrics speaks directly to the aches of growing older, the dread of losing those we love, and the longing for inner peace and stability in a world that constantly changes. These are common human emotions. The Bible speaks directly to them. Psalm 90:10 reminds us of life’s brevity; Ecclesiastes 3:20 reminds us that we were all made from dust and to dust we will return; while Psalm 23:4 assures us of God’s presence even in the dark valley, including the darkest “Valley of Death.”

The words “Stop this train, I want to get off and go home again,” is a cry for peace of mind, comfort, familiarity, and stability. As Christians, we know that home isn’t a place we left; it’s a destination ahead in eternity with God. Hebrews 13:14 tells us we’re seeking a city yet to come and Revelation 21:4 promises a future free of pain, tears or death.

Mayer’s father makes a cameo appearance in the lyrics.  His wise advice to son John is, “Don’t stop this train.” The father’s advice echoes Paul’s call to embrace each of Life’s season with faith. Paul learned to be content in every situation (Philippians 4:11), and we’re invited to do the same, trusting that God is with us through every twisting, turning, climbing, and descending moment.

I hope these lyrics remind you not of what you’ve lost, but of the hope you have in Christ. This train of life we’re riding may not stop—but we’ll’ never ride alone. Lord, teach us to embrace each season of life with faith, knowing that You are with us and that every believer’s future is secure in You.

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. —Ecclesiastes 3:1

The journey we’re each called to make is from the dead-end of putting faith in ourselves, or in some other finite creature, to the expanding horizon of trusting our Creator, following His lead, loving like He loves. And the vehicle, the means of conveyance, the way to get there, is the Word, Jesus, God’s Word who set up His tent, His tabernacle, in our midst.  —Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker for The Lutheran Hour

Listen – Stop This Train by John Mayer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS2o4q7vRFM)

1 Sep

Slimming down

Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Aging, Bible, Christian, Christianity, consumerism, discipline, Freedom, Happiness, Idolatry, materialism, peace, Poverty, regrets, Religion, Simple Living, simplicity. Tagged: , , , , .

I was a three-sport athlete in high school.  In college in 1975 I joined a “health club” called the US Army and stayed strong and fit there for the next 26 years.  Through challenging “Arrrmy training” (Bill Murray fans will get it), we stayed physically and mentally ready to defend our nation.  I retired from the Army in 2001. Like so many of the Army buddies I served with, I put on a few pounds after retirement.  In fact, over the course of two decades I went from a retirement weight of 209 lbs. to a maximum of 242. About two years ago, through a combination of illness, dieting, and lifestyle changes, I lost a dramatic amount of weight. Today my weight hovers around a comfy 200 lbs.

Slimming down came with a lot of benefits.  Among these are being able to fit into clothes I hadn’t worn for years, improved sleep, increased energy levels, and all around better physical health as indicated by my vital signs and blood chemistry tests, which today look like those of a healthy twenty-something. Slimming down has many other great benefits, more than we can cover here.

There’s another type of slimming down that’s very good for you. Commonly called “downsizing,” it refers to both reducing the amount of space one lives in and the quantity of personal possessions one owns. Such reducing can be healthy both mentally and spiritually.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I’m not some overzealous lifestyle minimalist that believes in possessing only the bare essentials necessary for living and rejects the rest. I’m not the type of person who could live my life in a “Tiny Home” like one sees on HGTV. But my wife and I have downsized our living space four times since I retired from the army, slimming down from a 3,200 sq ft house to 2,000, to 1,500 and finally to 1,200 sq ft condo, which we have today. We both agree that downsizing is cathartic. Here are just a few potential benefits of lifestyle downsizing which, if you’re not ready for now, might become of greater interest to you as you grow older.   

Reducing Chaos. Chaos is truly the devil’s workshop. Jesus calmed the storm on the Sea of Galilee by commanding, “Peace, be still.”  He can do the same for you and me. God wants us to have peace. A beautiful car, a sleek sailboat, and a humongous house and/or garage crammed with a lot of “stuff” (substitute a gigantic storage unit crammed with stuff) can contribute to a chaotic life.  Each of these comes with a price, and I’m not talking about money. Beautiful cars beg to be washed, waxed, and detailed.  A sleek boat requires a lot of time and effort to keep it safe and seaworthy. Big houses typically have big lots.  Big lots beg to be manicured until the grass looks as good or better than a putting green. A big house crammed with a lot of stuff can became a chaotic ball and chain for you and/or for your children who are trying to sort things out after their parents pass away. Oh yeah, and who is going to remove the snow from that lovely 50-yard curving driveway? Been there and done that! It’s not fun.

Avoiding Anxiety and Distractions.  Have you ever been sitting in a pew on a Sunday morning, taking a mental inventory of all the things, you need to do when you when you get home or in the week to come, instead of listening to what was being said in the sermon? There is a time to do and a time to listen. Sermon time in church is a time to listen.

You might recall this story in Luke chapter 10. Martha and Mary were the sisters of Lasarus. On one occasion that Luke describes, Martha invited Jesus into her house. While Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to him talk, Mary fluttered all about, presumably preparing a meal for Jesus.  After a while Martha became annoyed and asked Jesus to tell Mary to come and help her with the work.  Jesus’ response to Martha’s urging was a gentle rebuke, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (v. 41-42). Jesus wants to be the top priority in our lives.  Endeavor to keep Jesus at the center of your thoughts.

Avoiding Comparison. You’ve probably heard the expression “Keeping up with the Joneses.” It refers to a selfish urge or social pressure to match or exceeded the material possessions of one’s neighbors.  Colossians 3 compares covetousness to “idolatry.” When it came to material possessions, King Solomon, the presumed writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes and a man renowned for both his wisdom and his wealth, made the Joneses look like rank amateurs.  Listen to what he had to say about material wealth:

I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. –Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

After much experimentation, Soloman finally figured it out! Now see what Jesus said to his disciples:

Then he (Jesus) said to them, â€œWatch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” –Luke 12:15

Matthew 19:16-23

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. â€œThere is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

“Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, â€œâ€˜You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, â€œIf you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, â€œTruly I tell you; it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Leaving a Christian Legacy. To those who are believers, I ask “What is your greatest regret since you became a Christian?”  I hope your response isn’t something like, “I wish I had worked more” or “I wish I had bought that 1966 Corvette when I had the chance.”

Will you leave a Christian legacy? What might that look like? Will those who come after you even know you were a Christian given the way that you lived? This is worth thinking about.    

Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be.  â€“Psalm 39:6

“‘And I (a wealthy man) will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’”—Luke 12:18-20

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. —1 Timothy 6:6-8

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” —Matthew 5:16

Legacy isn’t measured by wealth, titles, or accolades—it’s measured by the impact your faith has on others. A Christian legacy is built day by day, through quiet obedience, generous love, and intentional discipleship. When we live with integrity, invest in relationships, and give freely of what God has entrusted to us, we leave behind more than memories—we leave behind a testimony.

A Christian legacy doesn’t end with you or me. It multiplies through the lives we touch, the prayers we pray, and the truths we pass on. And the goal isn’t to be remembered—it’s to make Christ known.  May our respective legacies draw others closer to Jesus Christ.

Leaving Things Behind. Back to lifestyle downsizing, there is nothing bad about wealth in and of itself.  I’ve known many Christians who were wealthy and unselfishly used their wealth for the furtherment of God’s kingdom.  A problem with wealth begins when we forget that everything we possess belongs to God and we are merely stewards of what he has given us. 

 We are born naked and penniless and in death our physical bodies return to dust. Don’t let accumulating “stuff” become a goal in your life. Even though many have tried and failed (Egyptian Pharaohs and Viking Chieftains come to mind), you just can’t take it with you. I hope you enjoy the short poem below by Judy Dykstra-Brown

Relocation Dreams

I’ve so many things that there’s no place to stack them in.
No drawers to hold them, no cupboards to pack them in.
So many things stowed away from detection.
My fireplace houses its own art collection.

My wardrobe suffers from costumes aplenty.
I’ve boxes of sizes from nine up to twenty.
My jewelry box is stuffed to the gills,
my medicine drawer is spilling out pills.

When I try to cull them, they all want to stay.
The only solution’s to just move away
to find a small island with palm trees and sky
where there is simply nothing to buy!

I’ll live in a hut with floors of swept dirt.
One pair of flip flops, a simple grass skirt.
I won’t feel that shopping should be my main duty.
I’ll look out the window if I require beauty.

No buying new paintings whenever I please.
No little nicknacks and no DVD’s.
No drawers of makeup or tea towels or spoons.
No tarot cards, horoscopes, Ouija boards, runes.

I will not need things to determine my fate,
that day I walk out, simply locking my gate,
taking one suitcase, computer and cables,
and scanner and backup drives, printers and tables,

an internet router and energy backup—
just these few items to locate and pack up.
Then I’m off to a life that’s simpler by far
if these bare necessities fit in my car.

*All Bible quotations are NIV

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