Spring Cleaning

I guess organizing is on my mind these days. Yesterday I cleaned out a closet that I use to store miscellaneous items in and every so often I go through it and thin things out. It amazes me that I can see things differently in just a few months; items that I thought I absolutely needed awhile back are now considered donations for the local charity. As each day, week, month and year of life passes by, our circumstances and needs change and so do our tastes and desires. This fact is reflected by the things that we may sort through from time to time. This is also a truth of our walk with the Lord. The Bible study that I am involved with has a number of faithful women in it who have been attending for years. I don't mean three or four years but fifteen and twenty years and some even longer than that! As we share about the things that we are learning and how God is growing us up, we find that even though we may have previously completed a particular study, new truths continue to be revealed to us as we go through it again. I am learning that God is into spring cleaning as well!

Just like in my closet, I find things in my spiritual life that I had never really noticed before. "Oh. Where did that come from and do I really need it in my closet (life)?" Or, "Gosh I really used to enjoy that pass time, but I don't think it is something that I will continue to do so let's get it out of here." Can you relate, not only to the closet but to your spiritual condition? God is so good to allow us to clean house a little at a time. He never just backs up the dump truck and says "OK. Let's get you cleaned up today!" He knows that we would never be able to handle that any more than I would be ready to clean out everything in my closet. I have emotional ties to some of my "stuff". I am not ready to say goodbye to all of my pet sins. In fact I don't even notice all of them. He is so faithful to just clean us out a little at a time. It can still be painful when He points to something and says that it's time to say goodbye, but most of the time I am ready for the freedom that comes from allowing those things to be removed from my storage closet. And you know what? It's not too long before I realize that I don't even miss those things.

What areas of your life are becoming cluttered with useless habits or hobbies? Do you smoke? Maybe it's time to let go of that! Think of all the benefits! Do you spend too much time watching TV or on the computer? Maybe you waste money that could be better spent helping others? How about your language? Do you use words or expressions that you may not use if a child was present or better yet Jesus? (By the way, He IS present with you in His Spirit!) It doesn't matter what God may be pricking your heart about, I am sure that He IS convicting you of something right now that needs to be discarded. Will you choose to do some spring cleaning and allow God to bless you with the freedom that comes with letting go of the clutter? Fall isn't too far away and the process will start all over again!