Once I purchased a new luxury car. Did I need it? No, I just wanted a symbol to let people know I had arrived. I will always remember how the metallic-blue paint glistened in the sun, and the aroma from the white leather seats was like a sweet perfume to a young materialist.
About three weeks after I bought it, the novelty began to wear off, and I noticed the same car, but in a different color. I wished I had bought the other color instead!
The most fleeting significance of all comes from things. When possessions and money become a surrogate for our real identity, who we are is tied to things that rust and rot away.
Until every church disciples every man…
Pat
(Adapted from the 25th Anniv. Ed. of The Man in the Mirror)
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