The Packrat Reflex

I’ve been pondering this impulse we have (or at least that I have) to save stuff.  Material things—like books, papers, souvenirs, furniture, art­work, or no-longer-current electronic gear.  You never know when something might come in handy!  Trouble is, our attic and my study overflow with boxes and bags and piles and files of stuff.

Plus, it’s not just material things—it’s information too.  Within books and now in digital space as well, I’m always stockpiling content.  For example, by highlighting reading material and jotting extensive notes into the back of books.  Also, I now have a vast collection of elec­tronic files where I’ve copied (or saved links to) all kinds of excellent resources for Christian life and spiritual growth—text, audio, video.  I didn’t set out to compile my own encyclopedia, but maybe that’s what I’ve been doing.  But why—why this impulse to save stuff?

You might be thinking, “I have no idea why you’re such a packrat!”  And maybe you just can’t relate.  But I have a hunch that I’m not alone.  Plus, I suspect there’s meaning behind this madness—even something to learn about what it is to be human.

What if being made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27) means that we, as creatures designed for everlasting joy, have a built-in drive to retain and preserve what’s good?  The Lord “has put eternity in our hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11), and in the age to come we’ll be able to ascribe to the Lamb of God “blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13).  We’re not wired for a temporary existence.

Perhaps I’m just putting a good face on a bad habit.  I don’t mean to justify hoarding or greed or some neurotic need to be in control of everything.  And I definitely see the positive value in current trends of decluttering and going minimal (Marie Kondo has a point).

So here’s what I’m saying:  the packrat reflex is a signal we’ve been designed for continuity, not termination. Humans are future-oriented beings who cannot be at peace with the sad idea that this short life zips by and suddenly we’re obliterated—no way.  Instead, see yourself as God does—made in his image, and made to last.  And see your neighbor that way too, even as you share the eternal love of Christ.