"Clearing Out the Clutter"

(From Our Daily Bread)

"My garage serves as a 'storage' for things that don't have a place in our home, and frankly, there are times when I am ashamed to open the door. I don't want anyone to see the clutter. So, periodically, I set aside a workday to clean it up.

Our hearts and minds are a lot like that--they accumulate lots of clutter. As we rub shoulders with the world, inevitably, perhaps unknowingly, we pick up ungodly thoughts and attitudes. thinking that life is all about "me." Demanding our rights. Reacting bitterly toward those who have hurt us. Before long, our hearts and minds are no longer clean and orderly. And while we think we can hide the mess, eventually it will show.

Paul pointedly asked, "Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?" (1Cor.6:9--which makes me wonder if God often feels like He is living in our messy garage.

Perhaps it's time to set aside a spiritual workday and, with His help, get to work clearing out the clutter. Discard those thoughts of bitterness. Bag up and throw out the old patterns of sensual thoughts. Organize your attitudes. Fill your heart with the beauty of God's Word. Make it clean to the core, and then leave the door open for all to see!--Joe Stowell

More like the Master I would ever be,
More of His meekness, more humility;
More zeal to labor, more courage to be true,
More consecration for work He bids me do. -Gabriel

*Don't let the Spirit Reside in a cluttered heart. Take some time to clean it up today!"



Reflecting on this entry, YES, the mess really shows! Because no matter how we try to cover it up what we feed our minds and hearts comes out. Most of the time these 'clutter' cloud my judgment, distort my image of people, situation and things. It's tough to get away from the clog it has created. If you noticed these may come from handed down beliefs, experiences, and effect of culture and environment.

My question is this: What can man do with the pressures and havoc that these can create in our minds and hearts and in our lives? It's a choice, a choice to clean up, clear up and fill our lives with things of beauty as stated above, and if we ever get to the habit of "cluttering" we can break it!