The article reports that it was a 3 bedroom house, stacked to the rafters with bicycles that the man had collected over the years. Some bicycles were bought, some were traded, and police believe many of the bicycles were stolen.

Wow! I can't begin to imagine what it's like to live in a house filled with that many bicycles. I think the police were being kind when they described the man as being "a little obsessed." I'd say it was more than a little.

It's easy to see what the focus of that man's life was. And while we might be quick to say that he was ridiculous for placing so much emphasis on bicycles, is he really any different from those of us who put other material things at the center of our lives?

His obsession resulted in the hastening of his death.

Jesus talked about a man who was so obsessed with his "stuff" that he chose to tear down his old barns and build bigger barns to keep it safely stored. (Luke 12:13-21) Let me assure you — if the focus of your life isn't "serving God," then it really doesn't matter what your focus is. Whether it's bicycles, jewelry, or a vacation home at the beach or the mountains, it's all just "clutter" that one day will be worthless.

Oh, there's one more thing about the news article that intrigued me. I mentioned the man's death, but I failed to tell you how he died. He died after hitting his head after falling off a bicycle! How ironic (but not all that unusual) that his obsession resulted in the hastening of his death.

Some obsessions result in death, and whenever (or however) death comes, it means the loss of everything. Only one obsession results in life. May we all be able to say with Paul, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

What are you obsessed with?

 

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© 2004 Alan Smith. Used by permission. This devotional was reprinted from Thought for the Day.

Title: "Obsessed to Death"
Author: Alan Smith
Publication Date: July 15, 2004

Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N. T. Wright Destined to become a classic alongside Lewis's Mere Christianity - a fascinating and accessible apologetic for modern seekers.

Alan Smith ministers with the Church of Christ in White House, Tennessee and publishes the email devotional "Thought for the Day."

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