Updated: Feb 8, 2020
A couple of weeks ago, I was rummaging through my closet trying to find something that at the moment seemed like very important. Although now, I can’t seem to remember what it was. As I treading my way through shoes and clothes, my eyes transfixed on many items that seemed out of place. Objects that I had thrown in and shut the door just to get them out of my sight. On the shelf was my cats brush, Christmas wrapping paper, my daughters reading medal, junk mail and a jar of marbles. I remember two years ago getting these marbles as a reward system for my kids. They do a chore, they get a marble which equals getting a treat later. Seemingly, this concept never took off as I still had the jar of marbles resting next to my husbands empty cologne bottle.
As I continued my journey to find my missing treasure, my mind began to think how my beautiful messy closet could be compared to my life, to your life.
I tell my family, we should have guests over more often because that makes us deep clean the house. However, there is always that one space, one room or drawer that ends up with the leftovers. The stuff we don’t want to throw away, but can’t seem to find a place for. Right before company arrives, I tend to throw the “extras” in the closet and shut the door. Out of sight, out of mind the saying goes. However, this saying is not completely accurate. For things we tend to shut the door on will always have that minuscule place in our minds, like a tiny little dust bunny under the couch. Others don’t see that little dust invader, be we know it’s there. We see it every time we walk by and think, “I will have to deal with that later.”
I don't know about you, but for me disorganization seems to create more stress and anxiety. Recently, I came upon a study from Psychology Today stating "Messy homes and work spaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed." Clutter can send signals to the brain our work is never done. It can also draw our attention away from what we need to focus on. We all have in one form or another a "messy closet" or a junk drawer that we try to hide our worries, insecurities, shame, and guilt. If we can just tuck that one more object under the shirt or ignore the 20 elephants glaring at us from the across the room, things will be fine.
Well, that would be nice but we all know that closet door will burst open sooner or later. God did not give His life for us, show His perfect love for our imperfect perfect selves so that we may try to hide things from Him. It does not matter what you try to push or hide God knows. He often knows what we need before we do.
A couple of years ago, I had a Christmas party. I spent hours cleaning the house except my bedroom and closet. It became the catch-all space and I told my family, "don't open this door, it is messy and will be embarrassing if anyone catches a glimpse of it." In continuation of these thoughts, we do that in our own lives with people. We don't want them seeing the "stuff" we carry around. Our outward appearance may seem like we have it all together, but on the inside- in our closet we do not know how much more stuff we can fit in.
But, I do have good news for both of us! I challenge you today to open up that drawer or closet, and shout "Not today Lord!" I need help cleaning out the stuff in my life that is overtaking my thoughts, mind, and body. I always feel better, a weight lifted off my shoulders, like I have accomplished big things by simply cleaning out a drawer or rearranging the bookcase. Just IMAGINE what GOD, the creator of all things big and small can do when you ask HIM to HELP you clean out your "closet." Have HIM hold the pile of papers who don't know what to do with or those jar of marbles collecting dust. It is like winning a free housekeeper for a week, and they stand around watching you clean the house. You are not letting them do their job, just like at times we do not let GOD do His job.
So, let this be an encouragement dear friends to call upon the Helper, the only one who knows what is behind those shelves of shoes, the forbidden door. It will be okay, God loves you and is here to help us clean out our "closets."
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7