What's in Your Closet?

“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.

by Pinkpollyanna

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