by Lynn Gorton, CLM, FCHP LGorton@rrumc.org
Spring is a time to start fresh - to wash windows, vacuum the furniture and purge your closet. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10
Sometimes our spiritual lives need a deep cleaning, too. As you refresh your space at the start of this season, don’t neglect the space inside - your very soul, the core of who you are. Here are three questions to ask yourself as you take a spiritual inventory.
What needs to be cleaned out first? Let’s be honest, most of us have many material possessions we rarely ever use. Sometimes we even have several of the same items that are just taking up space in our homes. But what about our hearts and minds? Think of a tucked away box in our closets that hasn’t been opened in ages. That’s what our sins can be like. We harbor guilt and shame over past mistakes and hide them away in the untouched corners of our hearts, never to see the light of day. What if we unpacked all that baggage and laid it before God? What if we actively turned away from our sins and said, “Here you go, God, you have asked for my brokenness, so I am laying it down at your feet.” If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9 God is ready to give you a new start. What if you begin by asking for His direction as you clean out your clogged-up mind to open it up for a spring cleaning and make room for His instructions of where to go next? I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go, I will counsel you and watch over you. - Psalm 32:8
What Can You Give Away? It can be daunting, but also gratifying, to pare down your possessions. So often, we hold onto things we haven’t used in years because maybe we’ll need them one day. Well, now is the time. We are accepting donations at our Cleveland campus, Story Church, to use for our Twice Blessed Free Store. These material possessions that are cluttering our homes and lives could be used to help someone living close to poverty. Cleaning out your home could add to the beauty of our church family’s homes at Story. Another valued part of our lives to give away is our faith. Can you give part of that away? You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16 As followers of Jesus Christ, we aren’t supposed to keep Him all to ourselves. We are commanded to share our love with one another. A new commandment I give you. Love one another as I have loved you. John 13:34
How can you give away some of His love? Think of a person to talk to about Christ’s love. Ask a friend to become a prayer partner. Read the Bible or share a devotion with the elderly. Keep your eyes open for opportunities to mentor a new Christian. Look for ways to serve in one of our amazing care ministry opportunities…Nourish meal ministry, card ministry, chat with people at the upcoming car cruises, become a Story Keeper to someone unable to come to church. These moments spent generously giving away gently used items and giving the love of Christ can completely change another person’s life.
What Needs Some Love? Perhaps your own spiritual lives could use a little renovation? Think of all the letters the Apostle Paul wrote to churches about keeping the faith. It takes work, he told them - constant energy to get along, set a good example and generally be faithful to Christ. There’s no shortcut in growing our relationship with Jesus. It takes time and effort. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” - Deuteronomy 6:5 Whether your faith life needs a fresh coat of paint or a spring cleaning of your heart, there’s no better time to jump in than now. Start with one thing at a time - maybe it’s alone time with God, spending time in the Bible for yourself, or treating others as He would. Come into our lovely Chapel and bask in the beauty of our stained-glass window or reconnect with the Lord on a walk in the Metroparks.
These are all ways of loving yourself by cleaning out the old bad habits and bringing in new time spent with the Lord to develop new spiritual connecting time. Wherever you start, remember you’re not spring cleaning alone. God Himself can help you cut through the spiritual clutter in each area of your life.
Begin today, my friends…our God wants you to declutter your mind, heart, and soul…He is waiting for His Son to shine through your crystal clean windows.