#Jesus22 - Daily DevotionalsSample

When we had to move to a new apartment without a basement over a year ago, we had a big task on our hands: we had to radically get rid of things.

In fact, as we uncluttered, we found things we hadn't looked at in years and hadn't missed: old notes, birthday cards, even flyers my husband had used for inspiration 15 years ago. What a mess. We had been able to collect everything so nicely and stuff it in the basement for the past 10 years, and now we had to look at EVERYTHING in a short period of time and part with vital items like the old-school flyers...

During this move, I realized how many things were not cleared up in myself as well. Many hurts, worries, and issues I had bunkered in the basement of my soul. Everything was eventually stuffed into "boxes" and took up space inside me.

How often do we clutter up our inner basement with these things until there is finally no more room in it for new challenges, friendships, relationships, or beautiful memories? Time and time again, I find myself rearranging things around the house and constantly wanting to clean out -- but still feeling dissatisfied. Then I find myself mentally and spiritually preoccupied with things I've repressed and ignored.

Marie Kondo, the "founder" of a special way of cleaning out, advises taking each item in your hand and asking yourself, "Does this item make me happy?" then saying THANK YOU out loud to the item before either putting it back in the closet or bidding it a loving adieu. This method has become a real hype around the world, and the books have sold millions of copies. And although it can make the house real tidy, if the "inner house" -- myself -- is not tidy, it won't do much good in the long run. But how about a small modification of this method? A GOD method to do an inner tidying up.

ACTION STEP

Which "boxes" in your soul basement have been rotting away for a long time and have nearly been forgotten? Where are there issues, hurts, or challenges that you have put in the corner a long time ago? Ask God to show you today which "box" He wants to open and clean out together with you.

God, I want to clean up my life. Just as my house is clean and tidy when I receive guests, I also want to tidy up my heart.
Please help me to do this. Thank you for being there!