"Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Philippians 2:4) Show & Tell
Not as in "eyeing others possessions". That would be akin to coveting. More like caring for the state of others' well being. And it's not really even referring to "things" as in "stuff". But we have it. We need it. Things. Objects. Possessions. That which is an outward expression of what we like on the inside. How else can I say it? Do you have a favorite bowl? A favorite blanket? How about a pair of shoes that fits just-so (but hasn't worn out yet)? We can learn from our things. Design has a voice (I'm not sure where I read that but I know I'm not the first person to say it). And it speaks. But this isn't necessarily my point. Firstly, a little abstraction.
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:6-7)
That's pretty cool. I feel that for something like the above to take place today, it'd take a miracle. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the Body of Christ to get back to the simplicity and power of what took place in Acts but unless we actively let God continue doing what He's already been doing since Jesus came and went, we won't realize it. As in make it happen. When you begin to walk in God's "plan", you find yourself meeting and knowing others who are actively doing the same. Little nodes begin to show in the hearts and minds of one another ("one heart and one soul") and God slowly levels up His will in your area. It's the (super)natural order of things:
"And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common." (Acts 4:32)
That's drastic. I mean, I'd be down if you needed to crash on my couch (I have an awesome, dark green, faux-chamois (?) couch). But my couch is mine thank you very much. It's pretty much the couch of my dreams as it fits the description of "my dream couch" from when I was about twelve. All that aside, there comes a time when the things you own cease to glow with the beauty and newness they had when you first bought or acquired them. Case in point. I'm a huge Rush fan (I'm listening to "Closer to the Heart" as we speak.). I met a young man the other day who was wearing a "Caress of Steel" shirt. It's not my favorite album but you rarely see anyone advertising such awesome musical taste. We chatted for a bit. He told me how jeered he is at high school, being a fan and all. I instead congratulated him because that's exactly what Rush is supposed to do (see: "Subdivisions"). That's a bit of an exaggeration but all the same. We said goodbye and I thought back to a button I have on my bag with the logo from "2112". I thought again and realized that I don't really need it. I have another from their self-titled (first) album. And so I took it off and found him (his name is Nick) and dropped it in his hand. He was stunned and exceptionally grateful.
Lost & Found
"Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15:8-9)
From the abstract to the specific. Referring again to the wearing-down of stuff, both in a physical and also psychical (?) fashion. You will never, ever lose your value in God's eyes. Nothing physical is meant to stand the test of time. If our bodies are any indication... Even music, for all its awesomeness is at once eminently personal but also wholly subject to the times and also our state of mind. These are the lessons. That the things we own don't own us. We are so much more than the outward explosion of form and function and material. Look at the core. That's from where things--and good design--spring.