“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven . . . a time to keep, and a time to cast away” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 6).
It’s so easy to procrastinate when I know I need to clear out old papers, clothing items I never wear, and things I no longer need or use. Tomorrow always sounds like a better day to clear out the clutter than to do it right now. I made some progress a few days ago, but truthfully—it’s just not fun! I still have clutter to clear.
Clutter is not to be confused with junk or trash. True, some clutter is junk, but some is just an over-abundance of perfectly good items. I sometimes find myself muttering, “Why? What was I thinking when I bought this? It’s just more to dust and clean.” Some things go into a box to donate to charity while other items are boxed and stored away. I don’t need it and will probably never use it again, but I have a crazy emotional attachment that keeps me from finding it a new home. Or tossing it.
My spiritual life also gets cluttered, and I realize it’s time to get things in order. I identify areas that need “cleaned out” and work feverishly for a while. If I’m not careful, it’s easy to become preoccupied and not finish my decluttering. It’s also easy for already organized areas to get messy and crowd out some priceless treasures. Space must be reserved for righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness (I Timothy 6:11). These deserve a prominent place in our lives.
Just as all clutter in our home is not junk, all spiritual clutter is not sin. It’s possible our focus is on the wrong thing. We allow ourselves to over-commit to numerous worthy projects. We are pulled this way and that by first one request to help and then another. We forget that our priority should be the things God has place in our hearts to do. Our lives grow too full, and we feel out of balance.
Clutter is distracting. Have you ever walked into a room where every available surface is covered with “things”? The eye has no place to rest, and the effect is overwhelming. Sitting in such a room is not restful. We find ourselves on edge, constantly alert that we will not bump or break something. In contrast, a room with a balance of simple décor feels peaceful. We find ourselves settling into our chairs and relaxing in the comfortable surroundings.
This same feeling of rest comes when our spiritual life is orderly and in balance. Simplicity brings richness to our spirit.
Perhaps it is time to simplify, not only our homes but also our lives. It may be an over-abundance of things or of activities that leaves us feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Isaiah 55:2 asks, “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance” (NKJV). This abundance has nothing to do with material possessions. It is the prosperity of being “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).
Lord, help me recognize the things that are clutter and those which are treasures from You. I want to delight myself in the abundance that comes when I have a balanced spiritual life.
Comments are closed.