Spring Cleaning For The Soul
June 2006
And I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit
in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give
you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in
you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey
my regulations. -
Ezekiel 36:26 (Amplified)
It was that time again; time for a little spring cleaning. My
friend Avis is a wizard at organization particularly with a
closet that is too full of clothes. With a passion for fashion,
she loves to enter the unknown world of someone's closet and
take on the daunting task of organizing, straightening and refining
a wardrobe. So I asked her to come and take a look at mine in
hopes that she might be able to help me with a little spring
cleaning and figure out some new outfit combinations from the
pieces that I already had.
I was not emotionally prepared for her first visit. She swooped
in with a plan to completely overhaul my small closet space.
I was shocked when I saw her pulling out every piece of clothing
I owned to inspect it closely. She looked to see if the clothing
was my current size, currently fashionable, in season and whether
or not it was too old and worn to be useful to me now. Those
that were found too big for me were put into a pile to immediately
take to the tailor for fitting. The winter clothes were placed
in a chest for safe keeping until the cold weather returned.
Anything out of fashion or old and worn was placed in a large
black garage bag. I watched in horror as more and more items
got dropped into that bag that would soon be sent to Goodwill.
I tried to hold my tongue but very often objected to her selections.
I was sure that some of those items were still useful. Yes,
of course I saw the huge hole in the hem of that dress and I
knew that those pants were purchased more than 10 years ago
but couldn't we do something with them? She graciously listened
to my comments and then indulged my concerns by explaining to
me why she didn't think those pieces should remain in my collection.
Her explanations were thorough and thought provoking and I knew
she was right. Each of those pieces was rarely worn because
deep inside I knew they were no longer useful. They didn't "fit"
my tastes anymore but it was hard to let go. The pile kept growing.
That day, only with permission - reluctant permission - two
very full garbage bags left my house. The contents of those
bags filled my dreams. I was sure I would regret giving those
things away. I made a few more desperate and pathetic phone
calls to her the next morning to try and salvage some of my
clothes. She asked me to trust her; she knew what she was doing.
With the big cleaning complete, she started organizing what
I had left. She hung everything neatly according to color and
style. Tops on the upper rack and bottoms on the one below.
Suits and dresses on the eyelevel bar on the far wall. She described
to me that if I would hang everything in its proper place I
would quickly and easily be able to find my clothes and make
more outfit combinations. This system was very different from
the one I already had in place (re-hang clothes wherever you
find an empty space). It was so different that I had difficulty
finding some of my things after she was gone. I had to learn
this new system which was so much more efficient that the one
I had previously used. Now I knew where to look for a certain
item based on the color and the type of clothing I was in need
of.
Avis's next order of duty was to add a few necessary items to
my wardrobe that I was missing. She called them, "wardrobe
connectors". These are the tops, slacks or skirts that
tie different things together so that more outfits can be formed.
She also decided that I was in desperate need of a little more
color since I had far more black and white items than anything
else. She began teaching me how to shop with an eye out for
what would fit in with the items I already have rather than
just getting random items that will just take up space in my
closet and rarely be used. I'm learning. She has skillfully
used these few pieces to create new outfit choices that I never
saw before. I have been amazed at all that has been available
to me all along but I can now clearly see and utilize because
my closet has been cleaned, organized and revitalized.
This morning, as I stood in my newly revamped closet, eager
to try one of the new outfit selections that Avis has discovered,
it occurred to me that my soul might be in need of the same
type of renovation. Much like the rarely used pieces that needed
to be shipped off to goodwill, I am always trying to hold on
to things that He may want to get rid of. He stands in the deepest
part of me eager to do some spring cleaning. He looks for the
parts of me that are not doing anything more than taking up
space. Either they don't quite fit right and need to be tailored,
they are too old and worn and need to be revitalized or thrown
out or they are out of season and just don't suit me for this
particular time. I'm always nervous when He enters into my soul
with this in mind. Inevitably my first inclination is to always
look on in horror as He starts taking things out and quickly
debate His decisions. "God, don't you think I need to keep
that one. Surely I can get some good use out of it." He
always patiently listens but then quickly describes why that
thing has to go. I watch with a frown as the pile that is being
sent to the recycle bin grows. It is filled with the activities,
personality traits, ministry opportunities and relationships
that no longer suite me, fit right and just aren't suitable
for the current season of life that I am in. Only with my permission,
though it is reluctant, He takes those bags and leaves. He asks
me to trust that He knows what He is doing; new combinations
can't be made with old things taking up all the space.
He comes again this time to organize what's left. I would much
rather keep the system I have always had (if you can call it
one) but He doesn't want me to live and use my gifts randomly.
He knows that my old system won't allow me to keep up with the
new direction He wants to take me in. He knows that with order
will come more usefulness and so He gives me a new way to look
at things. He shows me what should be on top, on the bottom
and in between. He re-arranges my quiet time, my prayer life,
my priorities and my ministry so that it looks completely different.
It takes a while for me to get used to it but I soon see that
His system is a lot better then mine ever was.
Now, that the cleaning and organizing is complete, there is
more room in the closet of my heart than I ever thought its
tiny boundaries could contain. And so, He comes, bearing gifts.
He brings that which will tie everything together and bring
a splash of color and new life. He breathes a breath of fresh
air over the rags of my existence which are often the humdrum
colors of basic black and white. His Spirit brings vitality
through the gifts that He bears and the fruit that He produces.
He makes new combinations using something old and something
new. He pairs my thoughts with His mind; my ambitions with His
perfect will. He takes my family and covers it will His protection;
this ministry and combines it with His compassion.
Now, when I step into this soul-closet, I am anxious and excited
not bored and confused like I used to be. I know there is something
new for me to try on and to boldly wear for His glory.
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