Heart

Heart

Now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you.

Colossians 3:8-10

I’m presently waging war on clutter in my house, though I fear that it’s a lifetime battle. I’m trying to get rid of as much stuff as I can by giving away, throwing away, or putting away. As I stand back and look with satisfaction on each drawer, cabinet, or closet I’ve tackled, I feel more energized and less weighed down.

My clutter tends to accumulate as the result of unmade decisions or unrealistic expectations. For example, I might set some papers on my dining-room table, thinking, I’ll attend to them tonight. But five days later, the papers are still there. Or I clip a recipe out of a magazine, thinking, I’ll try it this week. But two weeks later, the recipe is still sitting on my kitchen counter.

Over the years, I’ve noticed a similar pattern with clutter in my heart. If I nurse a critical thought about a friend or family member, four days later it’s often worse. Or if I rehearse in my mind how someone has hurt me, not choosing to deal with it and let go, I give bitterness an opportunity to grow. God’s Word reminds me that I need a throwaway pile for these things, too.

I’m learning to see clutter as an enemy. Whether it’s clutter in my house or clutter in my heart, I’m beginning to ask, “How much of this stuff can I get rid of?” Just as getting rid of clutter in my home makes my house more attractive, getting rid of clutter in my heart makes my life more attractive.

Father,

Thank you for giving us new hearts. Thank you that you continually renew our hearts as we get to know you better. In Christ’s name, amen.