Watch Your Stuff

Watch Your Stuff

The Ace Hotel lobby in lower midtown Manhattan starts humming early with all sorts of business and creative types. Laptops and iPads glowing, phones buzzing, coffee brewing—you’d almost swear you can see ideas being born. If the Algonquin Round Table were reincarnated, it would be situated in the Ace. One long communal table anchors the cavernous space, and the energy there is quiet but palpable.

On one visit, I noticed a neatly lettered sign on that table. It read “Love your neighbor, but keep an eye on your stuff.” That message was followed by the typical legalese about the hotel not being responsible if someone should walk off with your hardware.

Of all the interesting things there were to see in that lobby, it was the sign that captured my imagination. “Love your neighbor, but keep an eye on your stuff.” Love your neighbor, but don’t trust the nearest one not to take what’s yours. Love your neighbor, but watch him or her carefully. Because you never know.

I confess: I live like that.

I do love my neighbor. But I’m careful about it. Cautious, even. I don’t expect love back, really. Sometimes just the opposite. I may tell myself it’s okay to let my guard down, but more often, I keep a wary eye on my stuff. I don’t want to be proven naive or silly. I don’t want to be caught with my heart unprotected. I know Jesus loves me and calls me to love others. I’m very sure of him . . . but not of them.

Am I the only one?

I wonder what would happen if I trusted just a little more? If I didn’t keep such a close eye on my stuff? I wonder what things might be borne from the engagement that occurs as we muzzle our suspicions, open our hearts, and love one another?

I wonder if I have enough faith to leave my things on the table in plain sight and, for a moment, simply trust that they’ll be safe?

If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master.

1 Peter 3:13-15, MSG