Being all "sheepish" in a junk yard

Have you ever walked into your messy room and wanted to just throw everything out and be able to breathe again? Yes, I know the feeling. When I moved back from college I found that my bed was the only place in my room where stuff wasn't piled high and for about 1.56 days I left it that way. But I cannot - cannot- get anything done in the rest of my life if my room is going crazy. Is that weird how one room's condition can effect the rest of my thoughts and my mood?

The other night I was watching some good 'ole INSP with my Dad and Paula White was on there with an insanely good metaphor. She discussed how the word "Clutter" comes from the same root word as "Clot".

As you can see, a blot clot keeps out the blood flow. Something as simple as a tiny clot in one vein can withhold life-giving nutrients from the rest of the body. For all of you who were extremely grossed out by that description...I totally understand (ask me about my relationship with needles someday).

Just like a blot clot in your veins, clutter in your life can keep out what was bought at such an undefinable price - life. I'm not saying to go clean your room....but if you feel condemned to do so then your moms will be well pleased. Do you have a relationship in your life that you've been grasping by it's coattails just to keep in your life, but you really feel like it's taking more out of you then it's giving back? Is there a new responsibility that has presented itself in your life but you've already got so much going on that it would just add one more thing...but you can't say no, you just can't? Is your inability to look anything less than perfect interfering with how you treat others and the pride you feel when comparing yourself to them?

I know how hard it is. I know how hard it is to grasp the concept that we were never guaranteed entitlement to an easy life. We work so hard at perfecting our virtual social lives and making sure we have the latest gadgets (so we can be "cool, in this world but not of it" Christians) but we are slack on cleaning out our lives. Just because you have a few awards and badges for your community service work doesn't mean that you couldn't use a little clean-out day yourself. It's awesome that you can multitask so much, but the enemy will try you use your gifts to destroy you. You cannot constantly be wearing yourself out just because you are good at doing so much at one time. God wants you to live and enjoy your life - He paid far too much for you to be merely surviving.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

In the bible the pharisees were condemned for their attention to cleaning the outside of the cup and dish (themselves) but inside being full of greed and self-indulgence. Jesus tells them in Matthew 23 to "First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean" (vs. 26). I am guilty of pulling the Christian card and feeling like I'm alright and clean inside because I spent a few minutes at the alter (mostly just singing along with the worship song and not praying or doing any real dirty work) and then praying for someone else ...ending in a tearful embrace, of course = all clean and dandy for a week or so.

Nope.

Could the human body survive a few days on only the amount of blood that was given out in one heart-beat? No. So why do we think we are filled with enough life-giving spiritual nutrients after one alter call? You cannot remodel and redesign a room with stacks of junk to the ceiling. You must: 1.) Clean-out. 2.) Do all the dirty work...get your jeans a little painty and cry over all the memories until the paint on the walls is dry and your hands are well worn. 3.) Allow the inhabitant to put back in the room what they see fit. If God inhabits your heart, then after He helps you clean-out and remodel - give Him the honor of placing back in your heart what He knows is good and healthy...what is life-giving.

You were created to live. You were created for more than this junk you've been stuffing your life and heart with. Learn to say "No". Learn to cut off and prune out those unhealthy, destructive things in your life. I know it will be hard to stop talking to that person and they may not understand and probably will dislike you - but if a relationship in your life isn't causing you to grow and isn't giving you life...then it must go. If you've hit a wall with God and can't seem to hear or see Him in your life - maybe the clutter is prohibiting you...and if you can't identify the clutter then ask your handy dandy Daddy what He would like you to remove.

Relient K said it best, "You said 'I know that this will hurt' but if I don't break your heart - things will just get worse. If the burden seems to much to bear, remember the end will justify the pain it took to get us there." ("Let It All Out" )

We are just sheep, lost in our attempted paths...wanting to hear the familiar Voice.