free us to love boldly, give generously, and serve joyfully". I have been a member of a few churches in my day and I must say, this doctrine was a new concept to me upon joining the BIC. I had to really think about this one.
Let me explain... I'm not the best housekeeper. I'm not the worst either. So at first I thought 'if I have to be a better housekeeper, I better not join"! Thankfully my loving husband (who is very 'uncluttered') explained that this is referring to the heart, mostly.
In today's world, clutter happens. The amount of junk mail that my household receives in one week is staggering. At this very moment, there are three days worth of mail for me to sift through to make sure I don't throw away something important! Then there are the weekly trips to the grocery store and the endless bags that ensue. (Ironically, while we were honeymooning several years ago, my husband and I both expressed how we wanted to save the planet by eliminating all grocery sacks from our home and only use the reusable ones! That didn't ever amount to much being as I constantly either leave the bags at home, or in the trunk of the car - and don't remember them until I'm standing in the checkout line)!
But clutter of the heart is not so easily noticed nor recognizable. How often do I let the 'stinkin' thinkin' in... those thoughts that pop up when I am tired and overworked? I am beginning to see that 'uncluttered living' requires a concentrated effort to free oneself of mental as well as literal stuff. And to do this in order to be available for the service of the Holy Spirit.
So lets evaluate this doctrine, one step at a time; first we must VALUE uncluttered living. In other words we must recognize the beauty in living an uncluttered (or less busy) life. To recognize that less is best, whether were talking about shoes or types of cereal or material possessions. But I believe this also refers to how we spend our time. Are we freed up in our day to meet someone at their point of need?
Uncluttered to free us to love boldly... if I'm too busy doing everything, I rarely take the time to consider those around me and their need of bold love. I consider 'bold' love that which I couldn't do in my own strength, but through the Holy Spirit.
Uncluttered to give generously... are my resources so tapped because of my own selfish needs and wants that I am unable to give my time, talent, or treasure to those in need?
Uncluttered enough to serve joyfully...here again, am I so busy doing stuff that I have no more time to serve others in the name of Jesus?
The more I thought about all of this, the more I realized my need to do some housekeeping in my heart and in my agenda. Thoughtfully (and prayerfully) considering each day how the Lord wants to use my day; literally, the day He has supplied!
It's really not difficult once the right perspective is achieved. I can be clutter free when I remove 'self' from my plate. The plate that the Lord provided should be filled with what He would place there!
So lets evaluate this doctrine, one step at a time; first we must VALUE uncluttered living. In other words we must recognize the beauty in living an uncluttered (or less busy) life. To recognize that less is best, whether were talking about shoes or types of cereal or material possessions. But I believe this also refers to how we spend our time. Are we freed up in our day to meet someone at their point of need?
Uncluttered to free us to love boldly... if I'm too busy doing everything, I rarely take the time to consider those around me and their need of bold love. I consider 'bold' love that which I couldn't do in my own strength, but through the Holy Spirit.
Uncluttered to give generously... are my resources so tapped because of my own selfish needs and wants that I am unable to give my time, talent, or treasure to those in need?
Uncluttered enough to serve joyfully...here again, am I so busy doing stuff that I have no more time to serve others in the name of Jesus?
The more I thought about all of this, the more I realized my need to do some housekeeping in my heart and in my agenda. Thoughtfully (and prayerfully) considering each day how the Lord wants to use my day; literally, the day He has supplied!
It's really not difficult once the right perspective is achieved. I can be clutter free when I remove 'self' from my plate. The plate that the Lord provided should be filled with what He would place there!
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