Our Weird Collections
We Christians (in the U.S.) are known for certain patterns of weirdness – and one of our weird tendencies is collecting stuff.
It’s very American, but it doesn’t look much like Jesus at all.
From celebrities who can’t stop purchasing shoes to guys who have more Hawaiian shirts than there are days of the year, we love to collect and accumulate.
The thrill of purchasing makes us high. We have cravings that never seem to go away, despite the fact that we have more stuff than we actually need or can use.
It’s consumerism at its best; the disease is greed.
When we see it in others, it’s ugly.
But our own collections… well they’re cute.
Check out this movie trailer for American Collectors:
My reaction was, “These people are crazy / sad / obsessed / weird.”
And then I think about me. How many Bibles do I have? I don’t know the number, but I have a collection. *sigh*
We have stores that market “Christian” products to us. The “Christian” label makes us feel even better about accumulating more stuff.
I love what Derek Webb said about this: “The word “Christian,” when applied to anything other than a human being, is a marketing term.”
I guess what I’m driving at is this: we’ve become weird just like our culture is, but I wish we would be weird differently.
We’ve put things before people, but Jesus puts people before things.
Most of us don’t need more stuff – especially “Christian” stuff, but our lives would be better and brighter with more people in them…
Instead of having weird collections of things, I wish we would have weird collections of relationships.
I wish we would be less weird like the world, while becoming more weird like Jesus.
Less buying things and more building people.
I’m challenged and inspired by the example of Mark Scandrette – he’s kinda weird, but in a really good way. Watch this quick video, you’ll see what I mean:
Check out yesterday’s post “I Wish We Were Weird Like That”
WHAT DO YOU THINK: Is the collecting of stuff in competition with our ability to follow Jesus?
I am a husband, father, pastor, leader & reader. I love God, love people & love life.
I accidentally collect… clutter.. And yeah, as a result I probably spend less time focusing on the Kingdom, and more time on trying to figure out how to tame my mess.
I feel convicted about my collection of notepads and coordinated sticky-notes. I’m totally a sucker for ones in pretty seasonal patterns or black/white/brown patterns. I could probably not buy another paper product for 2 years and be ok. (But I enjoy them so!)
The idea of having less stuff so we can be more present to people is great. I think of a few examples in my life- Angela Hagebusch who ruthlesslessy eliminates clutter and coincidentally is one of the most hospitable people I know- always ready for a party, to invite people over, to host friendship. I love that. And another, Naomi Rigternik who in moving to Hawaii only could take a minimal amount of things. I know how much she loves to read and knowing that she could only take a few favorite books felt seemed unthinkable to me. (books being another thing I love) But when I see how she’s simplified her life, I notice how she is very present to entertain friends from the mainland (us- and others too. Thanks Josh!) And Naomi is emotionally available to her community for daily swims and shell collecting with her friends. (And now to be a full time momma- congratulations Naomi!!)
btw, love the things Mark Scanderette shares. Thanks Bry!
I used to collect Hawaiian shirts in elementary when my dad and I shopped at Big Dog smh.
Loved the part about “Less buying things and more building people.”
Great post PB
Haha. Big Dog. You still got any?
C’mon, rock that Big Dog T-shirt at Live Youth tonight.
Are my clocks weird? Never mind. I think I answered my own question. I already knew my nurse stuff was strange because Ian told me so.
I know I’m a day late to comment on this post but I kept thinking about the “collection” of bibles you mentioned…
I think a collection is a bad/weird thing when it consumes a persons life and becomes more important to them than people.
When you value stuff more than people there’s a problem.
I would guess your bibles are full of your highlights and notes, things that have stood out and spoken to you over the years (probably even some cookie crumbs) and although they’re just bibles, they have, in a way, shaped the person you are today.
I’m also guessing that if someone were to come to your house and mention to you that they’ve never owned a bible, you would give up one of yours.
Because one thing I do know about you is that you value people over stuff.
You should also know that the first video you posted, of all the collectors – gave me a mild panic attack…
I do have some of those Bibles that are worn & colored & tear-stained & tell a story of where I have been. They are special to me for sure. But I’m embarrassed by the Bibles I have that are basically new. The good news is now every translation I could want is online, so there’s no need to go purchasing it.
I also have too many jackets, shoes, & bracelets.