Everything Must Go!

I recently endeavored to clean out my closet.  Ever since we moved over the summer, I have tossed things into my closet and left them there to deal with later.  Later never came.  Until now.

So, in a burst of energy, I pulled a bunch of boxes out and started sorting through them.  Old childhood toys I had never gone through, with their attached memories, were the hardest to get rid of.  A lot of times, I can't be the one to physically throw things away.  I have to get someone else to deal with them, whether it is going to donation, consignment sale, or the trash.  And some of the things I struggle with getting rid of are just junk.  It really needs to be thrown away but I just can't.  I  know if I could just get rid of those things I would have more room for the things I will really use, but I am so attached to the junk that I can't throw it out.  I do, however, occasionally get a few hours in which I am willing to get rid of pretty much everything I don't need.  But later I always wonder if I was too ruthless in my selection.

But isn't this an accurate depiction of our lives?  All of us grow up with bad habits and ingrained sins that we can't seem to part with.  No matter how much we may want to become holy, a part of us still enjoys living in sin.

So we buy a Rubbermaid container and box the sin away into a dark corner of our closet to deal with later.  We say, "One day, when I have time and spiritual energy, I will deal with that sin.  But I don't have time right now."

And you're going to have time later?  Let me tell you that later will never come if you don't make it.  You have to deal with your sins as you are tempted by them.  Don't just walk by that plastic box.  Pull it out of your closet, take full stock of what it is, and then resolve to get rid of it.  Unlike junk in your actual closet, sin will keep regenerating inside that container, even once you've resolved to get rid of it.  But if you don't deal with it, it will spill over into new container that will eventually crowd everything else out of your closet.  You won't have room for joy and peace if your closet is full of anger and fear.

"But I can't even clean out my real closet!  How can I possibly clean my heart's closet?"

I'm glad you asked!  Because the truth is, YOU can't.  That is what the Holy Spirit is for.  He will come in and show you each box full of sin.  He won't show you everything at once, because that would overwhelm and discourage you.  But He will begin.  He will prod you to fight that one box of pride next time someone challenges your dignity.  He will encourage you to rest in God next time you watch the news and become afraid.  He will remind you to love when you are tempted to get angry.  And with every battle you face, Christ's strength will go with you to help you defeat it.  Remember,

^"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)

Jesus promises us that He will not give us something harder than we can handle.  Not only that, but He will also show us the way out and give us the strength to endure.  (By the way, this is a good verse to memorize so that it is with you when you are faced with temptation).

This isn't an easy process.  You won't see the end of the road now, and you won't see it until you reach eternity.  But God has so many gifts for you!  His love, peace, and joy are ready to fill you if you can just let go of the sin that has cluttered your heart.  Let Him begin to clear your heart.  Few things are more satisfying than walking into a clean closet.