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Many years ago, I began the habit of taking time at the beginning of the new year to declutter my heart and soul. Sometimes we store up emotional burdens, rehearsed destructive messages we have received from others (sometimes loved ones, sometimes others). There are burdens of shame or guilt for how we have failed or ways we think we have fallen short. There is unforgiveness, or even just a distant “feeling” from the God we love.
Many people have come to depend on this yearly message that I give. Yet, this year, I have been convicted by the Lord to scrutinize some areas more deeply. I am calling this “The Year of Heart,” in my pursuit of God, and in the ways of examining my soul. (I will talk more about this in-depth at lifewithsally.com this month—I would love for you to join me there.) As in any relationship, what I cherish in my heart about someone is how I truly behave toward them, value them. And so I am adding a component to my decluttering.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart,” Matt. 22:37
“Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”Proverbs 4:23
Where is my heart—is it devoted to Him in every aspect of life?
Do I make sure to throw out poisonous or discontent thoughts that tempt me to pull away from a secure belief in His love?
Do I allow what He values to grow deeply in my heart (people, family, children, friends, poor, needy, hurting people—learning to extend kindness, love, hospitality, serving others cheerfully and with all my heart or do I focus my heart more on material things, temporal values and pleasures?
Am I grateful and therefore content for the life He has provided for me or am I resentful for unanswered prayers or the difficulties that are in my life every day.
Do I love my neighbor with all my heart as He desires? Or do I resent having to serve, care for, give time and attention to those who are within the realm of “my responsibility?”
Shining the light of God’s word and spending time to clear out the rubbish of these heart attitudes have helped me start the new year with new biblical, God-pleasing resolutions. These commitments are not works that I have to accomplish perfectly. Instead, they represent for me a direction I want to move toward—to be more like Christ, deepening in compassion, loving Him a little more every day, growing in love and patience in my heart.
Now, for the rest of the post—some of the things we must declutter.
“In quietness and rest shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15 You need to come to me and give me all those things that are weighing on your heart. Resolve to seek rest and peace.
“Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29
I listed all of my issues this morning in my journal (and there seem to be multitudes of clutter piles in my soul--worries, attitudes, bitterness, weariness, fear, sin and a few more!) These are issues that will suck me dry and my energy dry if I do not notice them in order to clean out my soul!
The Lord prompted, "List all of your issues, give them over to me, don’t hold on to them. I am capable of taking them from you and being responsible so that you will not be weary or carry what you are not capable of carrying.
"Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. “ Psalm 37:7
Focus on resting in Me—sit in My lap, so to speak, rest in My arms. Let Me carry you. I love you.. Wait for My timing. Don’t force things or beg Me to hurry up. I am in control.
“Be still (cease striving) and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 “Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me.” Psalm 131:2
Give Me your attention and get control of your spirit. Be quiet. Be still. Recognize My sovereignty and transcendence. Remember what Jesus said, “Our Father who art in heaven, holy is your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus modeled his understanding that My will is what you need to rest in. I am in heaven and I see all things—the future, the past, your children, your relationships, --all your clutter. Give them to Me. Quiet your soul and rest in My strength and power.
“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one little child like this receives me.” Matthew 18:3-5
Come to Me as a child—even as your children, in their innocence and sweetness of heart, know that you will care for them and meet their needs because you are a loving parent who cares for them, so I am your Father who will take care of you. Leave the burdens to your Father and take your rightful place as a child. Humble yourself and trust Me. Enjoy me. Delight in the beautiful moments of this day. Notice the little miracles. Live as an unfettered child. Accept your little and big children and receive them as a gift from Me, and your will indeed receive Me into your midst.
“ ... a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” I Peter 3:4
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about so many things. But really one is needed and Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10 41-42
Don’t worry and fret and stew and stir up unnecessary dust. Choose simplicity—just one thing I require—that you give it all to me and love Me. I will take over. Even as I gave and provided a Sabbath in which all of My children should have rest from their work, so I want you to live in My Sabbath rest for your soul. Rest from your striving and labor. Take time for naps, for pleasure, for joy. This day you have to receive as a gift--I can't promise what tomorrow will hold. But today you can love, give peace, speak kind and wise words, dance in your soul with my secret pleasure that comes from knowing that I love you. Simplify your life, don’t make choices that will complicate or add unnecessary pressure or cause you to sin or grumble. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,” as Paul said.
So, as I yielded my lists into God’s hands and de-cluttered my troubled soul, I left feeling that even as my house has been coming to order, after we cleaned and straightened it yesterday, now my soul is moving in the direction of order.
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