Little Barns

“When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now…When first things are put first, second things are not suppressed but increased.” - C.S. Lewis

From our perch on the twelfth floor of our condominium we look down on the roofs of a grocery store and a used car lot. They will soon be no more. The city fathers have approved a new supermarket, numerous restaurants, parking lots, and three large apartment buildings. I’m not against progress. There are many people who need housing in this area. And it will be nice to have an expanded supermarket and additional businesses a few steps away. But I’m also sad to see the old buildings torn down. Luke records a story Jesus told about ‘progress.’ A wealthy farmer enjoyed a bumper crop and had no place to store his excess. He said, “This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones.” (Luke 12:18) The story leads to many perplexing questions: Are little barns being razed to amass more things? What irreversible damage is being done to accumulate more? Whether gaining social media followers, influence, money, education, power, skills, strength, beauty, fame, or experiences, we can easily destroy the ‘little barns’ of our spouse, children, health, spiritual vitality, or healthy community. Before building up, consider what you may inadvertently be tearing down. Dan Bolin President Refueling in Flight