The Garbage Man

Growing up, most of us see and gain from society that a garbage man has quite the dirty job. Along with this understanding comes the portrayal of the man on the job, cast in the same light. When I was growing up, it was those Monday nights that the garbage had to be set out. When a moment is taken to think about it, there are a lot of interesting things thrown in the garbage. And garbage contains good, new and pleasant things, along with the items beyond sickly imagination (rotten, sticky, foul smelling). This, however unpleasant or pleasing this garbage may be, is a game every day of our lives we participate in order to rid our lives and homes of such.

It is interesting to see the word usage Paul expresses in Philippians 3:8, “What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ...” We throw garbage away daily, because living in it doesn’t make sense, it is, nasty, or something simply doesn’t work. However, I believe Paul goes much deeper than the “normal” sense of garbage here. Consider our accomplishments and other defining qualities (education, money, status) that reside within our lives are exactly what we must have the garbage man pick up. In my own life sometimes, refuge and comfort are found in these ‘treasures.’ But (a topic for a later time) these securities are wrong to even call mine.

A reversal Paul calls us to: Let our confidence reside in the beauty and resurrection of Christ. This reversal stems from the values our society places on such accomplishments. We tend to treasure these than considering them Tuesday mornings. In saying this however, it’s not negate the glory one is able to bring Christ through our lives and accomplishments, but more so to not take stock, or investment, in such.

Paul’s emotion in the next section seems to declare an extreme pain, or deep sadness, at the fact that many live as enemies of the cross, in a sense: their garbage. His tears present to us what our reaction is to be. This heart of emotion, love and hope is one in which to imitate. We shall rejoice that our citizenship is in heaven, however. Take hope and refuge in Christ and see the rest (accomplishments) as gifts.

Think about it: Christ is The Garbage Man.

God can take and transform your landfill into beauty.

That’s Legit.