Clutter to Clean to Chaos

Yesterday, I shared how I spent much of the weekend de-cluttering my apartment, my computer, etc. I shared the Biblical principle of laying aside anything that entangles us as we run this journey called life. But there is a danger in cleanliness. Oh, I am not saying being a Pig Pen character is preferable. I am saying cleaning house isn’t enough.

Politicians clamor about ‘draining the swamp’ – and there might be some of that taking place in certain circles. But if you don’t take the next step – refilling the swamp with something – then it is more likely a swamp will just return.

Jesus gives a parable in Luke a.24-26 and Matthew 12.43-45. An evil spirit leaves the man, then when it returns, it finds the house clean and in order. So it moves back in, but with seven of its friends. Now life is worse than before.

Clutter to Clean to Chaos.

Matthew gives a deeper insight. The house is not only clean – it is empty. Ahhh, the point. You see, we can clean and put in order, getting rid of mess and clutter. But if we don’t fill our life back up with positive aspects, godly disciplines, etc., we leave ourselves open to relapsing – and maybe even worse so.

With what do we fill our lives? Here are a few suggestions …

– The Word. Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Ps 119.11, Col 3.16). Meditate, memorize, apply – at the very minimum, read it.

– The Spirit. Be filled with the Spirit. (Eph 5.18). Like a sail of a boat, trim the sail to let the wind fill it and catch its movement and direction. So we too are to set our lives where we are filled by the movement and direction of the Spirit. A bit simplistic example, but it is just a scratch of the surface of what God has for us.

– Some protection. Stick that ADT sign our front, install an alarm system. The Bible encourages us to guard our heart, to be vigilant, and to put on the whole armor of God (much of which is for protection).

– Some godly friends. Don’t forsake the assembling together, two are better then one, and iron sharpening iron are just a few Biblical principles admonishing stronger fellowship to guard, build up, and serve together.

These are just four – but they are four biggies.

Which of these four do you need to work on? Where can you be better at filling your life with what’s important and God glorifying? If you know of an area, what is stopping you from doing it this week?

Let’s not fall into a Clutter-Clean-Chaos cycle. Let’s be a Clutter-Clean-Christlike cycle.

Till tomorrow

todd