Morning Devotional

October  24, 2005
"Clutter" (Part 1)     
    by Don Emmitte

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"When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, `I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and clean. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation." (Matthew 12:43-45 NLT).

Recently I read an interesting article by Joseph B. Verrengia, US Material Wealth Leads to Clutter. In the article, the writer quotes several sources pointing to the clutter of most American homes as a reflection of a deeper mindset that exists in our culture. It has become a source for television programs, books and magazine articles, and national stores that deal with nothing more than how to unclutter and organize our homes!

When I began to reflect on that thought, I was taken to the reading for today. The context is very interesting. Jesus was teaching his disciples concerning the need to be vigilant in the do more than just clean out the mess in our lives. He also taught that we need to fill our lives with good.

Haven’t you seen that at work? I have gone through several periods when I have cleaned out the garage and organized the “essentials.” Inevitably, I have found that in a very short time whatever space I recovered by throwing out the old was filled with more stuff. My excuse usually is “you never know when you might need that.” Our move to North Carolina made it impossible not to get rid of a lot of stuff. I must admit that Mary threw out a lot of stuff that I might have wanted to keep. After all, that old piece of Styrofoam that I used to help construct a school project for the boys ten years ago might have come in handy when the twins go to school!

You get the picture… now for the real question: What is there in your spiritual life that needs to be cleaned out? And, what do you need to replace it with? Old habits and patterns of life don’t need to be bad to need to be cleaned out of our life. However, as good a job as you do cleaning up, you need to do in replacing with good things. The tough decision is where to start. Let me suggest that you begin with just one thing. Maybe it’s an attitude or a habit that you have developed over the years. First, begin in prayer and ask that the Holy Spirit would cleanse you mind and redirect your attention. Find a specific verse that is easy to memorize and when you feel yourself letting the old attitudes creep back in, quote it back to yourself. You’ll find the results amazing!