November 3rd
Sizing Down Our Soul
I must confess! -- Ready?? - - I am really a nut on organization. Everything about my life is "organized" (Of course, often times the Lord interrupts this - for which I am thankful because it is always for my benefit.) But, I am what you can call a really organized person. Everything is in its place. I have boxes labled in the garage and office closet. I have folders in file cabinets, and even a master index to some of them.
On the light side, it has been helpful. The other evening when the electricity went out during the night. I had to get up. I managed to "feel" myself from the back bedroom to the kitchen. When I felt the edge of the doorway, I knew that if I opened the cabinet I could easily (in the dark, mine you) reach to where the 2nd shelf should be - a few inches off center and grasp a flashlight. SUCCESS. I DID. It was just where it was suppose to be. (I think my mom taught me: everything with a place and everything IN the place.)
Well, I want to proceed to a new adventure in my life>>>>now, I am throwing away 5 things every day. Yep, you heard it right. 5 things a day - this has been going since the first of the year. 5 times this being the 306th day of the year means that 1,530 objects (of all sizes and descriptions) have been thrown away and I plan to continue.
It was funny - yesterday I had only thrown away 4 things and came into the family room to report that to my wife. She "started shaking" (not really) and said, "Oh, no, don't look at me!! ha.)
But, here is the point, my friend. THERE ARE THINGS IN THE SPIRIT MAN THAT NEEDS TO BE THROWN AWAY!!!!
Just as I discovered hundreds of things that I did not need or use, so in our "life's bag". Now, I must admit that some of the things (if not the majority) I threw away were very small objects on the garage wall or on my work bench or IN boxes. Still, they were - "out the widow".
So, what have I decided to throw away today IN my life?? After all each life has a closet and a garage. The list would be long, i.e. worry, anxiety, frustration, cares, "what do people think", "will it ever happen", dwelling on a problem, distrust and what will the future hold.
So, today I have decided to throw away 2 objects in my spiritual closet.
One- is a care about what will happen to me, my church, my children. Just liked I actually threw away some shirts that I in no wise would wear any more, I chose to throw away this garment that is TIGHT on my body. I say to "Concern - you bow to the name of Jesus." I read in Matthew 6:34:
"SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW."There is absolutely no need to continue living in a garment that is too small for me. The other thing I chose to discard regards a financial matters. I read, again in Matthew 6:
"LOOK AT THE BIRDS IN THE AIR. THEY DON'T PLANT OR HARVEST OR STORE FOOD IN BARNS. BUT YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THE BIRDS. YOU ARE WORTH MUCH MORE THAN THE BIRDS."So, my friend, OFF TO THE closet or garage of our life. Will you follow me??
Let's Pray
The bottom line is TRUST. Lord, we do trust you in the things we don't understand. We thank you that you do know and we thank you for your loving care for each of us. We WILL trust you that you do, indeed, do all things right. In the name of Jesus.
Amen