What’s in your Grab Bag?

One of the smartest things you can do if you’re in a bushfire prone area is to get a ‘grab bag’.

In my bag I’ve got our passports, other important documents, and our wedding photos.

And when I go to grab that bag, I’ll also get my favourite ukulele, Mandy’s cello, and a few other photo albums… and, of course, the dogs and cats.

It would be very sad if everything else burned to the ground, but to be honest, it can all be replaced with money from insurance.

It’s an interesting exercise to work out what to put in that ‘grab bag’ when it’s time to evacuate.

Back in 2002 this hypothetical scenario was a reality when we had to evacuate our home as fires moved closer to us.

And in the back seat of our car was a collection of the most valuable things we owned.

What would you take if you had to evacuate, and why?

It’s a timely reminder that the time is coming when everything will eventually be destroyed, and the only thing that will truly matter will be relationships.

Jesus said, “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20)

Jesus made it clear to us that we should store up our treasures in heaven, for “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (6:21)

The most valuable thing of all is your relationship with Jesus, and everything else is a distant, second-place.

Which means that if you lose all your possessions in a disaster, then it doesn’t, ultimately matter if you’re safe in the arms of Jesus.

The most important insurance policy of all is making sure you’re friends with Jesus before you face him as judge.

Is Jesus your ultimate grab bag?

JODIE McNEILL 

(Photo credit: MIKI Yoshihito via Flickr.)