Collections. People have been collecting things since the beginning of time. Among the more familiar items that folks collect are coins, stamps, works of art, antiques, baseball cards, comic books, dolls to name a few. Whatever it is, collectors tend to have a passion for the things they collect, and their collections become part of their identity and for many defines them as individuals. Collecting the right kind of things can often be very lucrative resulting in financial gain.

Then there are those who have developed a passion for collecting objects that are a bit less conventional. For instance, I found the following collections: A man with a collection of 1,785 bowling balls. Another has collected 1,284 toasters, while another has collected 2,037 tubes of toothpaste from around the world. Some collections are simply bizarre, like the guy who has collected 6,290 barf bags. The strangest one of all to me is a man who has for years collected belly button lint known as plushies. Ok, now that’s just plain gross!

Many seem to just want to collect their weekly paychecks or retirement pensions. While others seem to collect dust, they are self-absorbed and don’t engage with anything or anyone and simply waste their lives away.  Here’s a question to consider.  Are you a collector of people? Now that may sound strange. Of course, I’m not talking about owning people. I’m asking, do you tend to draw or collect people around you. Do you invest in relationships and live a life where people want to be with and around you? Does your life and personality attract or repel others?

In Matthew 4, Jesus says, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men. In 3^rd John, the beloved Apostle writes, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” And in Philippians 4, Paul says,” Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friend, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.” He says, you are my joy and crown. Paul had a passion for people. He loved them, invested in them, taught them, protected them and won them to Christ. Paul was a people magnet. He collected relationships. Peruse through any of Paul’s New Testament writing and you will find the language of a man who intentionally and constantly pursued people. His “trophy case” was full of people he had shaped, molded, and mentored toward Christlikeness.

It’s fine to have hobbies and earthly pursuits.  Enjoy your various collections. Although collecting fingernail clippings or belly button lint in my opinion is a bit over the top.  What’s not over the top though is being a collector of people. May your life draw and attract others so that you can point them to Jesus.

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