Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; Psalm 51:7-8
I live amongst gum trees which constantly shed their leaves, and, at certain times of the year, also shed millions (I am not exaggerating) of tiny gum nuts. The result is a lot of “gutter clutter” and daily sweeping of front and back porches.
If we’ve been away for any length of time it is very obvious by the mess on the porch. The gutters, however, are a different story because they are mostly unreachable except by a professional using a ‘cherry picker’ at the front of the house and a very long ladder at the back. The former is do-able at some financial cost and the latter is do-able at personal risk!! Many gutters in our area have such long-standing gutter clutter that small gum trees have sprung up in the accumulated mulch.
As I considered this I realised that we have to watch out for that “gutter clutter” in our own lives. It is very easy to let rubbish accumulate and not do regular sweeps or tidy ups so to speak. We, as believers, have an open door to the Father’s throne where we can come daily. In the Lord’s prayer Jesus told his disciples to ask God to “give us this day our daily bread and forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:11-12). It seems to me that he is suggesting daily prayer for forgiveness and cleansing of our sin. Such a simple thing, yet so vital to our spiritual well-being. It is very easy for our ‘gutters’ to become cluttered and when the debris remains long enough it can grow “trees”. Trees of unforgiveness, discontent, disobedience, bitterness, hatred, strife, jealousy – you get the picture I’m sure.
It is time to clean up. Sometimes we need to get ‘the professional’ in to help us with those places that are unreachable. Wise counsel based on God’s word along with prayer may be required to clean up old areas of woundedness. Other areas that we are able to deal with ourselves may require the effort of using a “ladder” to reach down into those inner recesses of your heart. Then you may want to enlist the help of a trusted friend who will “hold the ladder steady” by praying for you.
Once you’ve done the major clean up determine to do a more regular, if not daily, spiritual clean up. Your reward will be renewed energy and the joy of the Lord as your strength every day.
Prayer: Father God, please shine your light on areas of clutter that need cleaning up in my life. They may be hidden from me but I’m asking you to show me so that I can repent and start afresh. Amen
I live amongst gum trees which constantly shed their leaves, and, at certain times of the year, also shed millions (I am not exaggerating) of tiny gum nuts. The result is a lot of “gutter clutter” and daily sweeping of front and back porches.
If we’ve been away for any length of time it is very obvious by the mess on the porch. The gutters, however, are a different story because they are mostly unreachable except by a professional using a ‘cherry picker’ at the front of the house and a very long ladder at the back. The former is do-able at some financial cost and the latter is do-able at personal risk!! Many gutters in our area have such long-standing gutter clutter that small gum trees have sprung up in the accumulated mulch.
As I considered this I realised that we have to watch out for that “gutter clutter” in our own lives. It is very easy to let rubbish accumulate and not do regular sweeps or tidy ups so to speak. We, as believers, have an open door to the Father’s throne where we can come daily. In the Lord’s prayer Jesus told his disciples to ask God to “give us this day our daily bread and forgive our sins as we forgive those who sin against us” (Matthew 6:11-12). It seems to me that he is suggesting daily prayer for forgiveness and cleansing of our sin. Such a simple thing, yet so vital to our spiritual well-being. It is very easy for our ‘gutters’ to become cluttered and when the debris remains long enough it can grow “trees”. Trees of unforgiveness, discontent, disobedience, bitterness, hatred, strife, jealousy – you get the picture I’m sure.
It is time to clean up. Sometimes we need to get ‘the professional’ in to help us with those places that are unreachable. Wise counsel based on God’s word along with prayer may be required to clean up old areas of woundedness. Other areas that we are able to deal with ourselves may require the effort of using a “ladder” to reach down into those inner recesses of your heart. Then you may want to enlist the help of a trusted friend who will “hold the ladder steady” by praying for you.
Once you’ve done the major clean up determine to do a more regular, if not daily, spiritual clean up. Your reward will be renewed energy and the joy of the Lord as your strength every day.
Prayer: Father God, please shine your light on areas of clutter that need cleaning up in my life. They may be hidden from me but I’m asking you to show me so that I can repent and start afresh. Amen
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