Spring Cleaning

It is that time of year when many people do spring cleaning.  

Last week I wrote about cleaning house, the daily cleaning we need to do to keep our "house" in order....our spiritual house.  After all Jesus lives in us, we don't want it to be dirty in there for Him.  In order to keep our house clean, every day we need to go to God with our sin, confess it, and ask Him to cleanse our hearts and renew a right spirit within us.  (Ps 51:10)

Sometimes though we need to do a "Spring Cleaning".  I spent much time this week cleaning out the clutter in my house.  I cannot stand clutter!  However, if I'm not careful, it is easy for it to pile up on me.  When this happens, I usually try to hide it somewhere no one else can see it.  : ) In this case, our guest bedroom was filled with boxes of clutter that needed to be removed. I am pleased to say, it is now clean.  : )  What a great feeling!

We can also have clutter in our lives that hinders our spiritual walk with the Lord.

Clutter : To run in disorder, to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that
               impede movement or reduce effectiveness. 

What kind of clutter can cause us to run in disorder in our relationship with the Lord?  What kind of clutter can impede how God wants to move in our lives or reduce our effectiveness in ministry?

Clutter in our spiritual lives could be anything we are filling our lives with that isn't beneficial to us, that isn't in line with God's plan.  In many cases, clutter is just plain business.  It is really anything that is hindering our ability to hear from the Lord. 

We live in a very busy world, with a multitude of activities that compete for our time.  Sometimes, we just need to take an inventory of our lives to uncover what is unnecessary clutter.

Some examples of clutter:

1) Excess entertainment such as excessive TV watching, video games, sports, social media, etc.

2) Kid activities or personal hobbies.

3) Wrong associations--a wrong association can greatly hinder your relationship with the Lord.  I have much to say about this one.  It is VERY important who your friends are in life.  As the saying goes, "You are who you associate with."  It is wise to take an evaluation of your friends and see if they are people you want to emulate.

4) Working too much (not to pay bills, sometimes you have to do what you have to do--I'm talking about working too much and not needing to do it.)

5) Church duties:  Yes, even church duties can become a hindrance to your walk with the Lord if it is out of balance.

These are just a few examples.

One can usually do 1 of 3 things with clutter...leave it, hide it, or remove it.  Some people live in clutter all the time and they don't even know it!  

One of the synonyms for "clutter" is confusion.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace...1 Cor 14:33

So many people lack peace in their lives because of all the clutter.

He will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you.  Is 26:3


We need to remove the clutter and keep our minds on Jesus.  How do we identify clutter?  Follow peace....

Let us follow after things that make for peace and things wherewith one may edify another.  
Rm 14:19 

This week I encourage you to take an inventory of your life. 
 
Pray. Ask the Lord to show you if there is any clutter in your life.  I am going to do the same. 

Do a self-evaluation.

How am I doing in my relationship with the Lord?  Am I spending enough time with Him?  Am I spending time in His Word?  Is there anything that is "clutter" in my life that needs to be removed?

We need to be sure our priorities are in proper order with God at the top, family second, and then everything else.  When we keep God first, God takes care of the rest.

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.  Matt 6:33 (emphasis added)

We don't want anything in our lives that will cause us to "run in disorder", "impede movement" of God, or "reduce effectiveness" in ministry.

 Then, decide that whatever you do, to do it all unto the Lord.

Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  1 Cor 10:31

It is Spring Cleaning time, let's rid our lives of the clutter, of the confusion, and follow peace so we can be who God has called us to be and do all God has planned for us to do!