Meditation: Become a passer-by

There was a saying in the early Church, attributed to Jesus, that we must "become passers-by" (Thomas 42). And that fits really well with our preparation for Easter. 
This is the month we remind ourselves that we are spiritual beings and that the little comforts of the material world are, in fact, without meaning. Traditionally we give things up for Lent, mostly to remind ourselves that we can survive very well without our pleasures and luxuries.
Created by a spiritual master, we are not to be a people tied to luxuries, or consumer or material goods. We are window-shoppers, passers-by. We are visitors, tourists, temporary residents. 
We are here on a visa.
We look, maybe admire the craftsmanship, but we know we do not own or possess, and must never treasure. This land was never ours. 
Creation belongs to only one: its creator.
And we need to work to become the person imagined by that Creator; and we do the work because we know that where our treasure is, there will be our hearts too.

Step aside, it is not yours. 
The things we are taught to covet,
nice to touch - but never ours.

Security, bank accounts, best house: 
never ours, but make us believe 
we are safe, secure, need never die.

Be passers-by. Look, use, 
but let them go. When I move on, 
they must stay. Ownership passes. 

Look, but pass it by.


Suggestions for meditations
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.
Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.
These are things that I have coveted in the past or still. What do you need to make you feel secure and safe?
If you would prefer a Bible reading I suggest Luke 12, 22-34.
You can begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds.
Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with the word Passing-by. Every time you drift off the word, gently remind yourself and come back to it ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).
You may need a countdown clock. 
At the end thank God, and return to your day.