Time for a Little Cleaning

Springtime. Flowering trees give way to leaves. Grass that lay dormant for a season becomes lush and green. New life offers excitement and hope. Just the motivation necessary to tackle spring cleaning. You know, the kind that requires you to set aside some time, roll up your sleeves, and get down to business.

Decks and porches need to be pressure washed. Windows need cleaning inside and out. The garage needs to be de-cluttered. And yes, even the basement could stand to be organized. As I tackle these chores one by one, cleanliness replaces dirt, tidiness takes the place of chaos, and neatness overcomes disarray. It doesn't happen automatically. It takes purpose, a plan and follow-through.

The same is true in my spiritual life. It's easy to get lazy and allow the cobwebs to form over a period of time. A thorough cleaning of my thoughts, motives, and desires is just the ticket. Time to do a little analyzing.

Have I been dwelling on the truth, or believing lies? Where I've believed lies, it's time to break out the heavy-duty cleanser of God's Word and do business. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ," (2 Corinthians 10:5; KJV) Once clean, I can replace lies with truth. The Apostle Paul provides a great list of things to focus on, things that are: true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Armed with rubber gloves and scrub brush, it's time to tackle my motives. Why do I do what I do? Am I self-focused or others-focused? Wrong motives can be done away with by applying the truth: I'm to love my fellow man as I love myself (Luke 10:27). I'm also to hold him/her in high esteem (Phil. 2:3). Just taking the time to do some spring cleaning in these areas helps me renew a proper focus.

One more area for consideration - my desires. What do I long for? Fame, wealth, power? No better cleanser to cut through the grime than Bible truths, "I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised:" (Psalm 18-1-3a). My desire is clear once again - to love the Lord and bring Him honor and glory with my life.

Do you have some spiritual spring cleaning to do? Roll up your sleeves and arm yourself with the Word of God - the best cleanser known to man!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me of the importance of maintaining a 'clean' spiritual life. Help me to evaluate my thoughts, motives and desires in light of the truth of Your Word. Show me where I've been deceived and help me to replace lies with the truth. Thank You for Your presence and Your life-giving Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.