“Trash Talk” – A United Church of Christ StillSpeaking Daily Devotional by The Rev. Kaji Douŝa

For his sake I have suffered loss of all things, and regard them as trash, in order that I may gain Christ. – Philippians 3:8b (as translated by Wilda C. Gafney in Year A)

A lot of my people have a special word for certain people or behaviors: “trash.” I think it’s harsh.

But how many behaviors—yours or someone else’s—have you called “garbage”?

Paul’s words to the Philippians reframe the idea. He’s not calling people trash. He’s calling his own self-righteousness, the crave of status, and boasting of accomplishments: trash. Bag it up, he says. Offer it to God’s growing compost pile.

In my house, we try to practice a rule: When something new comes in, something we have must go. No buying more hangers or expanding storage space. Just make room. It’s a spiritual practice, really: letting go of what we cling to, especially when it no longer serves us.

Paul says resurrection comes not in accumulation, but in release. That project draining your soul? That relationship built on resentment? That identity you made up to survive but no longer need? Let it go.

What you’ll gain instead—peace, purpose, a closer walk with God—is never trash. That’s your most precious treasure.

Prayer

Compost my pride, oh God. Trash my shame. Make room in me for what is good, right, and true. Amen.