I love spring!

I love how the days get longer, and how the sun warms the air. With the windows now open, fresh air is blowing in and with it the sounds of spring. I hear people raking away the thatch off their lawns making way for fresh new green grass, kids outside playing, birds chirping and of course the sound of the Blue Jays game on the radio or TV. And then there is spring cleaning.

Spring cleaning is a term that we all understand. It seems that as the sun streams through the windows it casts light on the dirt and clutter that’s gathered all winter long. And if you are anything like me you want bring the newness of the season into your home by purging and cleaning in order to make it fresh and presentable.

On Monday, Emily is coming home for a week to attend my graduation on May 10th. I can’t wait to see her. So, spring cleaning this year will also include getting Emily’s room ready for her arrival. It seems over the course of several months her room has become a place of disorganized storage and to be honest I can’t even see her bed for all the clutter and boxes of junk that has landed there. There will be serious spring cleaning happening this weekend.

But what about a spring cleaning for the soul? Sometimes we need to do the same thing with our spiritual houses. We all grow stale sometimes and need a spiritual freshening up. What if this spring as we are decluttering and cleaning our house, we spent time cleaning up our spiritual house as well?

So here are a couple of ideas on how to get started:

Get rid of the clutter: Take a look at what distracts you from making your relationship with God a priority. And if you can, get rid of it! What is getting in the way of nurturing your relationship with God? For instance, are you watching TV, or one more episode on Netflix when you could be outside walking and praying, or in God’s Word?

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)

Wash and cleanse - After you’ve gotten rid of the clutter it is time to cleanse. As you draw near to God - ask God as David did in Psalm 51:10:
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (KJV)

Scrub out nasty attitudes, like bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, fear and selfishness by asking God to help you clean up each one.

To deal with the chaos in Emily’s room I am going to need to recruit Brian and Tyler for some assistance. Spring cleaning of the soul need not be done alone either. Ask God in. In God’s economy every day is a great day for some spring cleaning!

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Join us on Sunday as we continue our sermon series called Things God never said. If you missed last week be sure to check out our website. You won’t want to miss this Sunday!