It’s time again to “clear out” of a semester. We are in our last week of final exams and I
need to turn in grades. How did I end up
with four chairs FULL of papers? It’s
time to clean. Filter. Get rid of the
clutter. Actually the piles I see are
not just from one semester, but I think from all three semesters of me teaching
here in Ethiopia. It’s time to purge all
my files and folders.
It’s a daunting task- but maybe when I’m finished-
someone could visit and actually sit on one of my chairs. What freedom there will be when the load is
lighter in my book bag and the space is cleaned out in my living area and
office!!!
Needing to do this has made me remember all over again
the importance of constant “cleaning” and “clearing out of things.” A clutter check is needed often. Maybe because I grew up in the age of paper
(the push to go “paperless” happened after I was through school)- I’ve realized
I tend to hold onto to stuff WAY too long.
How often in my life do I also need to clear out the
clutter…to purge the bulky, unnecessary things that can quickly fill my
life? OFTEN. I need to check the things occupying space in
my heart, mind and schedule- or I tend to just live in the clutter.
I constantly need a heart, mind, body, and schedule check
often- to make sure I’m “living simply, so others can simply live.” (as my home
church pastor puts it). We often live
with too much stuff. Even our minds are
busy contemplating the clutter, when there are greater things that we should be
doing with our thoughts and time.
There’s so much we don’t need. And other people could
live off things in our homes that we never even notice we have anymore. And more than anything, what I’ve seen
globally, is people need love. To know the real love of God and the truth of
Savior who came to give them life. But our schedules are too cluttered to tell people. Our minds to full with this and that to even see people we're passing on the streets or who might even be sitting right next to us at work.
Our "loads" should not be that heavy.
Our "loads" should not be that heavy.
Check out these challenges from scripture…
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run
with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter
of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Matthew
11:28-30
“Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke
is easy and my burden is light.”
2
Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, since we
have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and
spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
1 John 2:15
Do
not love the world or anything in the world.
So...how can we do a check to see if there is clutter that needs cleared out???
One, you can ask yourself some hard questions….
One, you can ask yourself some hard questions….
This past week- I made a list. What do I have too much of or do too much of?
What do I not have enough of? Do enough of?
That’s a good place to start.
You can also simply ask
God to reveal the areas to you. He can through His living word. Or any
way He chooses. He is the gardener. He wants us to remain with Him, in Him, and
help us grow and be effective in the work He’s commissioned us to do.
Hebrews
4:12-13
For
the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must
give account.
John
15:1-4
“I
am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He
cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does
bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already
clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain
in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must
remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
Often too you know the areas where there is clutter.
Those areas are maybe where you spend the most time or money. Maybe on the
other end- they’re the areas or places you never go near because the mess
behind the doors is too painful. Those places need cleaned out so
you can move forward. Where there’s
stuff hidden. Where there’s stuff piled up.
Check there. And CLEAR IT OUT.
You can also ask
your family or friends. (those
who are God followers, fellow believers, and truly love you and care about
you). They will tell you if there are areas in your life that they think needs
cleared or cleaned. Often you can’t see your own areas of clutter or
over-indulgences when you’re in the mist of them.
Proverbs
27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted
Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so
one person sharpens another
It’s all about right proportions.
2 Corinthians 8:13-15
Our
desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but
that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that
in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much,
and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
In America, my home country, we’re often not fit but FAT
in lifestyle. We indulge in super-sized
living. Our spending reflects our love for entertainment and comfort. When most of the world lives without the
basic necessities like food and water, we aim for the bigger flat
screen TV or video game.
The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns (the
President of World Vision)- is a great book that points out some of these vast
differences in how first world countries live compared to third world countries. May our “gospel” not have a hole in it that
makes the world critical of the news we have to share because of how we live
our lives.
I’m constantly reminded too that our schedules can be
cluttered. And often with what looks
“good” can keep you from what’s best.
For example, spending time at the gym for might look good for your
health. A doctor might have even told you to do that. But does it trump your spending time in
prayer or time with your family or serving? Even working at church can be good
but not if it trumps your just being with God.
Doing for Him and being with Him are different. I think of Mary and Martha.
Luke
10:38-42
As
Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman
named Martha opened her home to him. She
had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
But Martha
was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and
asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by
myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and
upset about many things, but few things are needed—or
indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be
taken away from her.”
We need to share.
We need to not get attached to our clutter. We need to be content with
what we have and stay mobile to move as God would have us. We’re free to live and love and serve and go.
Let’s not get tangled and immobilized.
Galatians
5:1; 7; 13-14
It
is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let
yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
You
were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?
You,
my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to
indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in
keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.
Philippians
4:11-12
I
have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I
know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in
any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty
or in want. I can do all this through
him who gives me strength.
2
Corinthians 9:6-11
Remember
this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows
generously will also reap generously. Each
of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly
or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly,
so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound
in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely
scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness
endures forever.” Now he who
supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase
your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be
enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and
through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
2
Corinthians 8:1-7
And
now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has
given the Macedonian churches.
In the midst
of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled
up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as
much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own,
they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in
this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They
gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to
us. So
we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to
completion this act of grace on your part. But since you excel in everything—in
faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have
kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
There’s nothing better than CLEARING OUT the unnecessary
clutter AND CLEANING OUT the trash!
Psalm
32
Blessed
is the one whose
transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose
spirit is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones
wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped as in the heat
of summer. Then I
acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my
iniquity. I
said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of
the mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me
from trouble and surround me with songs of
deliverance. I will instruct you and
teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you
with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or
the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or
they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the
wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing
love surrounds the one who trusts in him. Rejoice
in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you
who are upright in heart!
May we live our lives well, in honor of our God! Without clutter! Onward!
Praises/Prayer
Requests
-Please pray for me as I clean and
clear out of this semester, really three semesters of teaching. As I take time
to rest between semesters- may God lead me in reflection on how I can maximize
the days ahead.
-Please continue to pray for students
and staff as we finish out our semester this week! May exam results and overall
results be good!
--My Dad is going to have surgery this
Wednesday, February 20. This will be to
attempt to mend the bones that are fracturing in his back and that are causing
pain to his legs and affecting his mobility. His surgery will be at 9am. Please
pray for him, my Mom, and the doctors!!! We know God has him!
-Continued praises for my friend
Debelle’s wife- still at home with her family. Keep praying for her full
restoration to health!
-Please continue to pray for my sister
serving in the Czech Republic- that God will bless and keep her.
-Please pray for my schedule after
February- that God’s perfect plan unfolds for how I can best serve.
-Pray for many people serving
international during this time and those serving soon- that God will protect
and give courage. (a special prayer for
my friend Daniel Bachman serving at Tenwik Hospital in Kenya, excited to see
him visit here NEXT WEEK)
-Please keep several friends in prayer
who are looking for work and applying for international visas- that God will open
doors as He will!
-Please pray for the writing of my
first book, that God will help me make time to finish it!
Thank
You For Praying!
