The Presbyterian Church of Bull Shoals

Presbyterian ‘Connection’    

February 2012  Volume 19   Issue 2             

From the Pen of Reverend Terry                

“You can’t decorate clutter, you can only get rid of it.” I came across this quote on the FLYLady website. Briefly this website is a free international site devoted to helping the hopelessly disorganized find hope and organization. The authors and contributors are Christian and often refer to those ‘aha’ moments as God breezes.

One of the FlyLady’s core principles is that our homes and our lives are full of clutter. We are surrounded by things we don’t really want, don’t really need, and don’t even like. Her website includes e-mails from people all over the world who are pleasantly surprised to find that getting rid of the physical clutter in their homes has a spiritual component. They experience a new sense of emotional freedom.

This is nothing new for Christians. For centuries, we have followed this principle in relation to our spiritual lives. In the 40 days before Easter, we observe the season of Lent. On Ash Wednesday we confess our sin and our need for God’s help. Throughout the season of Lent, we focus is on getting rid of spiritual clutter. To do this we make changes in our habit that is our physical life. This looks different for every individual. It may mean no longer eating chocolate or watching television. We know that changes in how we spend our money, time and affection impact our relationship with God and with others.

Giving something up is only the beginning. In Luke 11:24-26, Jesus says, “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but not finding any it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ When it comes, it finds it swept and in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.”

That’s why it’s important to prayerfully consider what we can clear away AND what we replace it with. For example, suppose you commit to give up sweets. What will you do with the money you save by not eating sweets? What about the time you would normally spend baking, eating or purchasing sweets? What about the desire you have for something sweet? Observing Lent means taking the money, time and affection you have been spending on the object or habit you give up and dedicating these resources to God.

We can’t expect to have a peaceful and pleasant home until we get rid of clutter. By the same token, we can’t expect to fully realize the life Jesus has for us as long as we hold onto any habit or thing that takes our attention away from him.

As Lent approaches, I encourage you to prayerfully consider your life.  What do your bank account and calendar say about your relationship with God? What do you need to fling in order to have more room for God? What should you fill that new openness with? As you seek and commit to follow God’s will, remember these words from the Apostle Paul:  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If you do these things you will truly experience a meaningful Lent.

Many blessings, Terry