I don’t know about you, but I am constantly fighting clutter. When I used to have a roommate, after straightening up my room or desk, I’d ask them to come and look at the blinding wonder of neatness—it would last maybe until evening.
When I married Rich I got rid of a lot of stuff, and when he died and I returned to Israel, I got rid of even more. So now my clutters don’t look nearly as bad as they used to. But they are there.
Dare I share that I’ve often pondered that my cluttered closets, drawers, and cabinets may be a symptom of something deeper—a cluttered soul? I am often full of so many thoughts, ideas, and questions—for one reason or another I put off doing my “soul” cleaning. But it’s just like cleaning house… a good quiet time with Jesus does wonders for decluttering my soul.
That’s what I did this morning, had a good decluttering time with my Lord, and came away amazed at His gracious goodness all over again. I was reminded again of my hope, which as it says in Hebrews 11:1, is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Later, at a potluck, I noted a Russian woman in our congregation sitting by herself. I came up to her. “How are you?” But her eyes belied the “OK,” which she qualified with, “As OK as I can be under the circumstances.”
She shrugged and I asked her if it was hard to explain because of language. She nodded. But we still kept talking. She asked how my back was, and I told her it was feeling better. She asked what kind of work I do. I shared that I used to be a nurse, but it was just too hard physically and I had switched into English editing/writing. And that opened her heart. She is a nurse and is struggling with her health because of the difficult physical work. She is considering a course, but it won’t be easy—because of language.
We were able to encourage one another and I gave her a ride home. Her husband had left earlier to get ready for work. Because we were driving, we passed him in the road and I was able to pick him up. It was a small thing.
But my cluttered heart would not have had room for them if I had not had my decluttering time with Jesus this morning.
Why am I sharing this? I think many of us struggle with spiritual clutters of one kind or another. I would like to encourage you, and perhaps you can encourage me, don’t declutter tomorrow what can be decluttered today.
As it is also written in Hebrews 4:
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
I have been having to think about what I wrote all week. How easily my desk (and heart) get cluttered with things that really must be taken care of. Thanks all for your encouraging words and thoughts. We do need to pray for and encourage each other.
Sometimes the decluttering seems to get harder the older I get. Maybe I’m not severe enough. You are right that it must be a sign of a cluttered soul. How many people are willing to take the time and energy to address the issue? It reminds me of something I wrote in high school…”All is peaceful, calm and still, since the searching of my soul.” We sure need uncluttered lives in today’s rat race, so we can have a bright testimony in a dark world.
This is a very blessed and timely comment Debby … thank you.
Rose-Marie
My Dad had what I call organized clutter. It looked awful, but he knew exactly where everything was on his desk. Whatever you di in the house, you did not touch his desk because if just one thing got moved he couldn’t find anything!
I’m reminded of two things. One, there’s that oft-quoted statement, frequently misattributed to Albert Einstein, that a cluttered desk is a sign of genius. (In truth, Al is more properly quoted as asking, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what is an empty desk a sign?”) Two, I was once visited by my brother at my place of work. “Sorry about the desk,” I said as he walked in. “You should see mine,” he said. “Worse?” I asked. “Two or three times,” he said. When I finally did see his office, his desk, his worktable, his bookcases, every horizontal surface was cluttered with stuff. I didn’t feel so bad after that.
Thanks for the ever so important reminder – to keep my eyes on the Lord who will straighten our path and declutter it on the way so we can do His will, and off of myself who only makes a mess of things in the best of times.
Thank you, Dvora — this speaks to my heart in a special way right now 🙂
Please pray for me about it — I know you know how! Our Lord will lead us.