Getting Your House In Order

Okay, I really shouldn’t say this out loud, but, it is true–I struggle with clutter.  There are some “neat-nics” that possess only what they need and keep it ordered and perfectly stored, but there are no genes in my DNA carrying that wonderful trait.  I tend toward piles of stuff: papers, clothes, pictures–you name it!  I do have good excuses though, that I am convinced work really well: “I might need that the minute I get rid of it,” “But, my bff gave it to me,” “It belonged to my great, great, great grandmother.”  In a nutshell, even when I tidy up, my house is not in permanently good order.

So, to help myself get on the better track, I requested and received a book entitled, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo.  At a later date I will post a full book review; but let it suffice to say, that I was impressed with the different slant she presented within just the introduction.

One idea she laid out in chapter one resonated with me.  She wrote:

“A dramatic reorganization of the home causes correspondingly dramatic changes in lifestyle and perspective.  It is life transforming.  Why?  … when you put your house in order, you put your affairs and your past in order, too.” 

As I contemplated this concept, I decided there were some issues that I really should resolve and maybe this was just the way to meet them head on and settle them.

As I prepare to read farther and then tackle the varying degrees of clutter throughout the house, I have high hopes.  I’m excited to envision a quieter, more peaceful mind set.  I’m looking forward to a lighter heart knowing that what I should be doing (disposing of piles) is done.  I anticipate guilt free opportunities to enjoy longer one on one time with the Lord–reading His word, worshiping and praying, painting or drawing, hiking, and taking some time to visit a few elderly friends.  I get a thrill just thinking about the freedom that awaits me once I have conquered the “stuff” and gotten my house in order.  It makes me more than a little giddy!

But as important and influential as our daily living space is, God too, addressed the need to “get your house in order”. (2 Kings 20:1) 

It doesn’t seem to me that He only meant the physical house.  After all, He is most concerned with “things of the spirit”.   In the scripture reference, Hezekiah was about to die and God gave him time to set things aright with all that concerned him.  Even today, if someone seems to be ready to pass away, another may ask, “Do you have your house in order?”  In other words, when taking stock of your heart attitudes, are they in alignment with God’s desires and commandments?

As this year draws to a close and a new year waltzes in, adorned with its inherent joys and challenges, these questions seem most fitting: Do you have your spiritual “house in order”?  Are you dwelling under the shadow of the Almighty? (Psalm 91:1)  Are you declaring the Lordship of Jesus in your life? (Romans 10:9)  Are you walking in obedience to the commandments of God? (John 15:10)

Would you find your “house in order” if you evaluated your spiritual pulse right now?  What steps do you need to take to line up with the word of God?