Daily Devotional, Sept 1, 2023 Skeletons in the Closet
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 16:21
The name of Japanese Tidying and Home Organization Expert Marie Kondo has become synonymous with the word “decluttering.” Her Netflix show was viewed by millions around the world, whom she has inspired to clean up their spaces by giving up the things that no longer “sparked joy” in their lives.
Christianity also calls us to consistently and intentionally tidy up areas in our life that are cluttered and in disarray. For instance, to keep our homes from being overstuffed with things, Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew to refrain from stockpiling material possessions: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19-20)
In our spiritual life, the scriptures encourage us to get rid of our ill emotions towards other people. In his Letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul reminded the church to remove feelings of hate: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
Instead, the Lord wants us to focus on goodness: in Philippians 4:8 St. Paul says “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Now these really spark joy right?
On the other hand, unforgiveness, hatred, and sadness are all negative emotions God wants us to get rid of. He also wants us to let go of our double lives, dark secrets, and bad habits. All these are the skeletons in our closet that only Jesus can fully remove as he cleans and organizes our hearts and minds so that we could finally live a life centered in Him. Decluttering all these from our lives, frees spaces in our hearts so that it could again experience the REAL joy that only walking with Jesus could give.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Luke 12:13-21 and Ephesians 4:22-24 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are your mind and heart cluttered? What could be occupying the space that should have been meant for the joy offered by the Lord?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, please empower me to tidy up my physical and mental spaces. Please remove negative emotions that hinder me from fully enjoying the life that you so lovingly offer. Reign over my spirituality and guide me as I journey with you, Amen.