Time to DeClutter and Be Set Free

We’ve been doing a lot of cleaning and clearing out of stuff. The most recent cleaning out was in what we refer to as the “toy room”. It’s one of our bedrooms, but it holds the toy box from my childhood brimming full of toys collected over the years. We had been putting other boxes in there during the holidays and it was chock full of things we didn’t need or don’t use daily. So he cleared it out. He left only the things that were essential to us. Everything else was either thrown out or boxed away in a storage room.

It’s easy to be a pack rat. All you have to do is put something in a corner. Then you put something on top of that thing and then before you know it there’s a whole pile of stuff and you don’t even remember what’s on the bottom anymore. Not useful, but piled up just the same. We can become so focused on the useless that we get bogged down in dealing with it all.

What is it your life is cluttered up with? What do you keep walking through, tripping over and finding again and again?  Lots of things tend to bog us down and mess up our lives.  We all recognize them. Unrealistic expectations. Unforgiveness. Bitterness. Sorrow. Past regrets. Future fears. Unbelief. Half truths. Unmet hopes. Broken dreams. Broken hearts. Broken promises.

God’s Word gives us great instructions on cleaning out the clutter in our lives. He will help us keep the stuff we really need and identify the things that must go, so that we can be more productive and we can move about freely going wherever he sends us. With the clutter gone we can enjoy what is important. With the way clear we can see God’s plan and go with it.

Oh beloved, are you bogged down this morning? Are you trying to reshuffle the mess of life? Are you hiding the things in the corner of your mind that you don’t know how to get rid of? Are you still enjoying replaying old records and rehearsing old grudges? You may have believed the lie that you had to hang onto this stuff in case someone tried to hurt you again. You may have built a huge pile of remembrances of things that are threatening to fall on you like a boulder from the top of the mountain. Let it go. Box up the sorrow and shame and throw it out. Pack up your mistakes and give them the boot. Forgive everyone and watch as that stuff just floats to the curb, never to return inside your heart.  Memories? Some of them will probably have to go as well. Good memories can even bog us down if we live in them instead of living in today. But bad memories can totally obstruct our travel into what God’s best is for us.

Whatever does not agree with God’s Word has got to go. It may look good but it will tarnish and become a real nuisance in the long run. Remember, you want to be free to go where He sends you, love those He allows to cross your path and live in the light of His glory and grace. Real freedom doesn’t come with stuff, it comes with the lightening of the load, the cleaning out of the heart and the refreshment of new starts.

God loves you and He’s for you. That’s why you can trust Him to assist you to dispose of those things that are hindering your view of His Truth.  A life free of entanglements is your best way to live as you trust Him and allow Him to make all things new for you.

Hebrews 3:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God's messenger and High Priest.

Philippians 4:8  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Colossians 3:1-3 If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. ( Amplified)