“Where did all this stuff come from?” I mumble to myself.
In preparation for moving I have been going through our
closets, sorting out “stuff”. It’s only been four years since we moved the last
time, but somehow things pile up—faceless picture frames, ugly ties,
no-longer-used suitcases, unwieldy lamps—my list could go on and on.
Most of this stuff is relegated to the closet so that it is “out
of sight, out of mind”. I’m not sure why we didn’t just discard it instead.
Guess we didn’t want to deal with it at the time. Or perhaps it was a gift from
someone and we wanted to avoid hurting their feelings by getting rid of it too
soon. Or maybe we thought we would find it useful later on. Who knows?
The process reminds me of a Christian song from the 70’s by
Mickey and Becky Moore called “Closet Spaces”.
I’m cleaning out all the closet spaces,
I’m dusting down the rooms,
Purifying my heart and soul
For the coming of the Bridegroom.
Don’t know when He’ll come,
It might be tomorrow.
Don’t know when He’ll come,
It might be today.
All I know is that I want to be ready,
I want to be ready
When He steps forth
To take His bride away.
Anyday, I know He’s coming.
Our spiritual closets are a lot like our physical closets. We
hide our jealousy of another’s accomplishments; we temporarily shove aside anger over unmet expectations; we nurse hurts from misperceived slights; we harbor unwholesome thoughts
about others. The list is long and highly personalized. And the longer these
things remain in our spiritual closet the more sin-filled feelings they gather—like
dust settling over unused items on a shelf.
God’s Word has much to say about cleaning out out spiritual closets:
- Ezekial 31:18 “Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have
committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.”
- Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
- James 1:21 “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the
evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can
save you.”
- 1 Peter 2:1 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all
deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
Oy! That’s a daunting task--rather like organizing for a move! Thankfully, God’s Word also offers us encouraging news:
- 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and
just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- Micah 7:18 “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and
forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay
angry forever but delight to show mercy.”
- Luke 18:27 “What is impossible with men is possible with
God."
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is
a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”
What’s in your spiritual closet? Is it time for a “Fall”
cleanup? Praise God for His amazing mercy and grace offered freely, just for
believing.
Anybody have a spare trashbag?
©2013 Pamela D. Williams