Cleaning Out the Clutter

Every once in a while I go through a huge cleaning and purging urge. The need to do a good housecleaning of unneeded stuff. Around this time of year is one of those times it really hits me. Right after Christmas, when I’m trying to make room for all the new presents in closets, drawers or cupboards. As I open them to try to make room, I notice all the things that have built up, all the things that are squished in, things that are just building up and not being used. Things that are no longer necessary, some that never really were. Just sitting there, taking up space.

As I sit staring at the buildup situation in my closet, I start to think what about my spiritual house? Isn’t it about time I did a once over on that very important part of my life too? When was the last time I asked the Holy Spirit to do a housecleaning on me that I might better walk this Christian life. What is in my spiritual closet that I have shoved to the back that I don’t use or is not beautiful in the sight of God but I am just hanging onto?

Hebrew 12:1-2(a) speaks of getting rid of “stuff”. In the Amplified version (love this version) it says:

Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony of the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance -unnecessary weight- and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us. Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher, [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. (Bold print mine).

I need to do a spiritual houseclean every once in a while with the Holy Spirit helping, so that I can get rid of those things that are cluttering up my walk. I must move those out of my house that I can look upon Jesus and not be distracted and follow Him as my Leader, Source of faith and Finisher bringing me to maturity. And with what do I arm myself with for this cleaning? Prayer in one hand and the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit, in the other. As I humble myself before Him, I pray He will show me areas I’m trying to hoard and give me the strength to sweep them out that I would not be entangled in a mess.

Praise God He loves us as we are but loves us too much to leave us that way!