Spring Cleaning of the Best Kind
Spring is just around the corner, and we are being teased even now with warmer days. You may have already started putting away boots, heavy jackets, scarves, and gloves. Have you been inspired yet to do some spring cleaning? We all know how to do that kind of cleaning. Open the windows for fresh air, wash the windows, dust, and maybe even rearrange the furniture. It is time, too, to let go of more stuff! Yet there is more to do…
This very early spring we seem to be having coincides with an unusually early Lent, which is an excellent time to do a spiritual spring cleaning. Psalm 51 says, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me…” and “…wash me and I will be whiter than snow…” That sounds pretty bright and clean to me. Just as we clean our room or house, we need to clean out our “spiritual house” so we can become receptive to God’s love.
What is “a spiritual spring cleaning”? We need to clean out our hearts and souls. It is looking inside of ourselves to decide what we should keep or let go. What is cluttering our minds and hearts that keeps us from opening up to God’s love? In Deuteronomy 6:5 we read, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
To keep it simple, we need to ask ourselves three questions.
- What needs to go?
- What can I give away?
- What needs some love and attention?
Our spiritual vision can become smudged and messy when we start believing that we are not “good enough,” capable or worthy. We need to wipe away such doubts and allow the Son to shine, warming our heart, refreshing our mind, and reminding us that we are loved, forgiven, and precious in God’s sight. We are to let the light of Christ burn brightly for everyone to see. You know how much brighter your home is when the windows are squeaky clean! So, let’s get going on our spiritual spring cleaning and let your heart’s light—the Light of Christ—shine out into our world.