Trash Talk

What can we learn from the trash can? Years ago, when I did investigative work, one of the most promising places to search for evidence was in someone’s trash can. It is amazing what you can learn about someone simply by going through their trash.

There is another lesson we can learn at the trash can, or the city dump. Much of what is now useless junk was once someone’s pride and joy. Old cars, toys, appliances, papers, furniture. So many material things that seem to be so important at the time do not last. Things lose their luster.

So much of our lives are spent chasing things that will not last forever. As a matter of Scriptural fact, only our relationship with God, our relationships with other people, and things done in a manner that impacts God’s Kingdom will truly last. How much time do I spend every day on garbage to be, rather than on things that really matter and will last forever?

Paul explains his (and God’s) perspective on what lasts in Philippians 3:7-11: 

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness of God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

In the verses just before the text above, Paul has cited his own resume, which is arguably one that anyone would be proud of. But then he goes on to say afterward in the text that the resume is garbage to him, compared to eternal life and eternal reality. This testimony urges each of us to examine our own priorities and time, followed by an assessment of what is garbage and what will really last.

Because of the cross of Jesus Christ, once we are in him, we may begin evaluating and living our lives according to eternal life and reality rather than spinning our wheels on things that will not last. On God’s word, that is the only way to truly live.

To be sure, if we examine it properly, garbage can teach us many important things!

In Christ,

Chris Heinss