When you hear the word “Mess”, what image pops into your head? “Yuck, I can’t stand this!” or, “Oh well, it’s been this way for many moons. Who cares what it looks like?”
Maybe you even have a third thought – “Who cares? The disorganization works for me. I generally know where everything is anyway?”
Everyday I sit down to work at my desk I make a new resolution. “I will clean this up, but I’ve been here almost four years now so who cares what it looks like?”
Recently I visited a room that perhaps describes messy even more vividly than my desk. Actually, even entering the room required careful stepping. As I stood there, my mind drifted to our lives. I wondered if God peeks down at us and then almost stumbles and trips as He explores our thoughts and actions?
Driving home that day, ideas swarmed through my mind. Most humans experience times when troubles overwhelm their lives. Will I be able to pay my electricity bill, repair my vehicle needed for work, care for my bedfast parent or spouse, or find healing for a damaged or broken heart? Depression clutters your thoughts, slowing down your steps and slowing your forward movement. Little room remains for a joyful party, happy hug, or a trip to the park for a walk.
Human clutter appears in other forms. Ask yourself, “Am I so busy having fun, traveling, relaxing, playing ping-pong, watching grandchildren get trampled on the football field, or even serving on multiple civic boards and committees, that Christ has been shoved into a backpack or shelf in my head, only to be overlooked?”
Think of the mess in the lives of Adam and Eve as they spent time nibbling the forbidden fruit one day, only to be kicked out of the gorgeous garden. Somehow the crafty serpent invaded their peaceful home, cluttered up their time nibbling on all the delicacies God provided, and they had to move out. Genesis 3 reminds us of their exit from peace into future death.
My favorite example of a messy life, but one that ended up being so faithful to the Lord, is none other than David, the slingshot guy, shepherd, slave, soldier, unfaithful husband, and ultimately the king. He had many messy spots in his life, yet God helped him through the messiness. We each stumble and fall, but God reaches down and is willing to grab our hand if we reach up to Him.
Jesus speaks loud and clear in Mark 13:32-37. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know the day nor the hour when He will arrive again. We must be prepared. NOW – Now, before our death or the arrival of the Lord. We have to clean up the mess in our lives. We are imperfect. Shortcomings abound, but God is waiting for us to ask forgiveness for our goofs and sins.
Let’s each pack up the junk in our lives and clean up our actions and thoughts. You may even need to fill a gigantic trashbag. Then focus on preparing for God’s return. Praise and Serve – Let Your Light Shine – Not the Trash in Your Life.
Kathryn Ransom 