Have you ever gone into a store and tried to pay for your goods with a click pen? The kind that are five for a dollar at the dollar store?

“I really like this pair of socks. How much are they?”

“Five bucks.”

“Hmmm, I’ll give you two click pens for them.”

I am sure that you would quickly be shown to the exit, and more than likely you would receive an invitation to never show your face around that store again!

In Kenya however, traders love click pens and will accept them as payment. While looking for a souvenir for his brother, my son bought a zebra statuette for two click pens. The merchant was actually pleased with the deal! Why? Because click pens are not as common in Kenya as they are over the Atlantic Ocean. They are luxury items and are very much in demand.

Isn’t it true that we often take things in life for granted? Take friends for example. We may be frustrated that they spend too much time with us, but once they move to the other side of the world, or even to the next city, we feel hurt that they are no longer around. How dare they move!

And what about that special brand of piquante sauce that the local warehouse used to carry? Will we survive now that they discontinued it?

And what about that favourite blanket? The one we’ve had since we were five? Who dared take it to the dump!

Is it possible that our priorities may be wrong? Don’t you think we could survive easily enough with a different brand of salsa? And what about a new blanket? Wouldn’t it work better than the worn out one we’ve had all your life? And isn’t it possible to stay in touch with old friends while making new ones at the same time? And is worrying about a pair of socks really that important? Are our concerns about which brand we should purchase really that earth-shattering?

Is it possible that we could dwell on more uplifting items? Like our neighbour who just lost her husband, for example? Or little Johnny who has no food in his fridge?

Too often we worry over trivia, but the things that are important in the grand schema of things are forgotten.

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:33 NIV)

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt 10:28 NIV)

Our reality is found in God, not in a pair of socks or a jar of special salsa.

I like the Message’s rendition of Mat 10:28: “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life – body and soul – in his hands.” The Message

“Is it true that you don’t have any more of my favourite brand of toilet tissue? How is this possible? How will I survive?”

“But we have a no-name brand that is just as good, and cheaper besides.”

“I don’t need imitation toilet tissue! I need the real thing! What’s wrong with you people! Don’t you know what is important in life?”

No, we don’t. But do you?

Rob Chaffart

(To view the entire “Nairobi, Here I Come!” devotional series, please click here.)