I’m not a great housekeeper. This whole staying home thing is still new to me, even though I’ve been at it for a couple years. And although I appreciate learning how to care for my home and family, there are many times I wish I already had all the tricks of the trade. I wish it wasn’t so hard to maintain the living space I desire. Didn’t I just pick up those toys for the fifth time this hour? Where did all that dust come from? Wait, you actually wanted me to cook tonight?
It’s all so exhausting.
Sometimes daily tasks feel like swimming upstream against a strong current. At the end of the day, I sit down to relax and think about how I get to do it all over again in roughly 8 hours… The world tells me that I should have a spotless house, that my children should be well-behaved, that my meals should be magazine-worthy creations, and by the way, I should do it all with a smile.
Yikes.
Between scrubbing dog vomit off the floor and tripping over loose crayons, my days are far from glamorous. I find myself drawn to examine the lives of others and wonder “how is it so easy for them?” It’s tempting to think my friends have it all together because their houses look so organized or they don’t show up as late to events as I do. Did I miss a memo or something?
But then God, in His infinite kindness, reminds me to slow down. That I’m not in the running for a blue ribbon. That sometimes, my mind tricks me into ignoring other people’s clutter.
When I stop to reflect on this realization, it’s obvious that it applies to more than just physical clutter. My spiritual life can also be cluttered with idols that are fighting for the throne of my heart.
I’m not alone. In his Gospel account, Luke tells of a story that treads familiar ground for me. Sisters Martha and Mary were hosting Jesus and his disciples, and Martha finally comes to Jesus, asking him to scold Mary for not helping her with all the preparation. Jesus responds in love that Mary–who was listening to Jesus teach–chose the better portion and beckons Martha not to be preoccupied with worldly cares.
The children of Israel also fought to keep God at the center. Israel–God’s chosen people! They, too, chased after other things. Before the Israelites entered into the Promised Land, they received their commission from the Lord: drive out the inhabitants of the land completely lest they come back to draw Israel away from God. They started strong and began possessing the land, but somewhere along the way they fell apart and became lenient. Thus, the Canaanites continued to plague Israel with false idols, just as the Lord warned would happen.
I can learn from both these Biblical examples that we all have trash in our lives. It’s called sin, and it’s part of the human condition. So how do we start the spring cleaning?
There are two facets to it. First, we must rest at the feet of Jesus and abide in his words. That might mean studying Scripture or building prayer habits or simply listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The second part is about fulfilling the task to its completion. And that’s hard, because we want to cling to those things that God is calling us to let go of. But while the idols remain, sin will always have a foothold in our lives. So finish the job. Drive them out completely.
Sometimes I see my own clutter with such clarity. (Comparison to others only leads to discontentment, which has its roots in not trusting God. Ouch.) Other times, I know there’s a problem but can’t locate the source. (Why is it so uncomfortable to be vulnerable with others?) In these moments, I must abide in Christ and be open to whatever truth he has for me, however painful it may be. Then, when I’ve listened for the Spirit’s leading, I need to do the task I’ve been given.
It’s not easy. Like scrubbing shower grout or dusting a bookshelf, spiritual clean up requires time and elbow grease. But the eternal results are worth the effort. And that’s more valuable to me than gold.