Why Stuff Matters

Last updated on: June 14, 2012 at 8:38 am by Amy Julia Becker

Why Stuff Matters 2012-06-14T08:38:04-04:00 Amy Julia Becker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

My husband’s mother died nine years ago, and his grandfather died a few months ago. So he is headed back to New Orleans this week to sort through some of his grandparents’ “stuff,” alongside other family members. We’ve been talking about this strange process of divvying up an estate, and whether or not material things should matter to us. On the one hand, the material world is not all there is, and if and when we idolize created things rather than worship our Creator, we miss out on the richness and fullness of life that goes beyond matter. On the other hand, God chose to create stuff, and physical objects often matter because they reflect something good and true and beautiful about who God is in and among us. An article and a short film have recently given words to some of my own thoughts about the importance of stuff.

In this four minute film, “Furniture Fit for the Kingdom,” Harrison Higgins talks about the significance of making furniture that lasts, and in this short essay, “For the Love of the World,” Corey Widmer reflects upon John Stott’s relationship with creation and his love of birds.

Stuff isn’t all that matters. But sometimes the very physical facts of creation–a pierced palm, a bird in flight, a piece of wood, a grandmother’s paperweight–can be the things that connect us to eternity.

Faith

family

Previous Post

June 13, 2012

My First Awards Ceremony...

Next Post

June 15, 2012 Articles of Interest: Eugenics, Prenatal Testing, Morality, and Prayer in the Everyday

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Articles Books Disability Down Syndrome Faith family Perfectly Human Uncategorized

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 September 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz