Life for sale

From the world’s perspective, Ian Usher had the perfect life. He had a relaxing job, a beautiful wife, exhilarating hobbies, and a trendy house outside of Perth, Australia. If there is such a thing as an English expatriate in Australia having achieved the American Dream, Ian was it.

His website has videos of him sky-diving, jet skiing, surfing, and snowboarding. His house has a flat-screen TV, a spa, and room for all of his toys. He has a loyal dog, and close friends.

But a few years ago this down-under dream fell apart. He and his wife divorced, and try as he might, Ian could not put his life back together again. Enter: one of the most novel ideas for dealing with disenchantment that I have ever heard of. Instead of a yard sale, Ian is having a life sale.

What could not sustain Ian is now up for bidding. Ian is going to auction off his life to the highest bidder. His house, his job, his toys, his TV’s, his computers, and his spa. The winner will get his clothes and his car, his dresser and his dog. Everything.

Even his friends, who are apparently more trusting than his employer—the employer is offering a three-month trial period for their new hire. Ian says that after this auction he will walk away with his passport and the clothes on his back, and take the next flight with an open seat on it, to start his life over.

In John chapter 3, Jesus told Nicodemus that for a man to have any hope of even seeing the kingdom of God, he had to be born again. Nicodemus asked how a person could possibly climb back inside of the womb again. It is a mistake to think Nicodemus thought Jesus was being literal (“if only I could find my mother, then how could I fit…”).

Nicodemus was not jaded by John 3:16 bumper-stickers and Billy Graham Crusades. He had not heard the term “born again” before, and was probably taking it in a way similar to Ian’s strategy. His question then is one of, “how can a man start his life over when he is old? Where do you even begin?” Nicodemus lived before the advent of e-bay, which will be Ian’s venue of choice.

Jesus’ response is good for us to consider. “Flesh produces flesh,” he said. Eric Alexander said, “What Jesus means is that starting over will not help Nicodemus. A thousand new beginnings will only produce a thousand of the same sad tales of woe.”

My best guess is that Ian’s life is worth about $500,000 Australian dollars, or $450,000 in the US. After he sells it all and boards his plane, he will be doing his best to answer Nicodemus’s question. He will be trying to start over, vainly thinking that this time it will turn out differently.

I hope someone is able to warn him that he does not need a new start, but he needs a new heart.

You can see Ian’s life for sale here.

http://alife4sale.com/