In every house there is always one room, maybe even just one closet where
when you cannot find a place for it, it goes there. For years it has been the
closet in my office, stuff just stacked upon each other, where of course the
things I placed there because I use them are on the bottom. But encouraged to
clean up and clean out such closets, and also curtail the attack on my garage,
another depository, I attacked the garage first. In particular two boxes, one
marked electrical, the other tools. Two names I can do without based on past
performances. In the electrical box I threw away 50 feet of coaxial cable left
from a cable conversion, almost the same amount of various phone cords, some
cassette boxes with no cassettes, a mug from a company I worked for over 30
years ago, power cords with identifying marks, a booklet on setting up my phone,
from two phones ago, some cassette tapes without markings, an old torn American
flag, and a CD player removed from an F150 from 2001. But the other box had
some real valuables in it. A box of broken bar end mirrors, a trailer brake
kit for a 1992 Ranger, a roll of kite string, a rusty trowel, an ax head and
wedge for splitting wood, what I think was an old Cub Scout project sail boat
minus sail, a ratchet that didn’t due to rust, a wire brush wrapped in kite
string, two seat straps from Bonnevilles I once owned, a foot peg and mount
which don’t match each other, three grab rails from bikes over 20 years old,
some old tank badges for a Triumph Scrambler, an old empty now can of Coke,
still sealed, two old baseball gloves, and some other things just taking up
space. Almost all went into the trash, and I am not even sure why I held onto
the few things I did. But such is life...and now I have more room for new
things to gather and never use. Do we see a pattern here.....
Out with the old and in with the new is not a new concept, and one based on
a life in Christ. We become a new creature in Christ when saved, and become a
place for the holy spirit to dwell in us. But it doesn’t always work like that,
as I hear some say “I’ll give this to God, but never that which gave me
pleasure.” We all have our own excuses, mine was a popular one, twisting
scripture to fit my sin rather than letting it go and getting on with Jesus.
Drugs was easy, drinking was hard, and to sipping saints leading double lives
today hiding it, making the excuse “Jesus drank wine.” Where and when, show me
please. But also other damaging traits are hung onto, keeping us from the
fullness of God, by our own choice. Bad habits like the things kept in my
boxes, taking up space and when dealt with and disposed of open that part of my
life to Jesus even more. We all have them....some even hidden in plain
view.
In Colossians Paul writes for us to take advantage of each situation. To
make the most of each opportunity. In my travels many times I passed on roads
thinking I would return some day, only to look back and wish I had. Same with
some habits. As I live and pray each day, do I ask God to maximize the
spiritual blessings coming my way? Do I let the spirit lead or am I in charge
here? Do we care more about us than people seeing Christ in us? There may be
more to the old statement “you may only be the only Bible some read,” than we
care to admit. I have habit of following after some Christian was drinking or
cussing or acting rude towards women and then being asked, “well he’s a
Christian and does all those things I do, so I must be one too. I don’t need
your Jesus or religion.” And they have a point. But God in his wisdom sees the
heart of us, and sadly I must admit I may have led some astray by my sinful
actions while posing as a Christian, allowing them to think it’s OK. Everyday
is a real world adventure in living the gospel and of being a servant and
witness of Jesus Christ, ambassadors he calls us. Maybe those things in my
garage gave me some insight as to my life, what things of my past do I hang
onto, that cause me to stumble and fall? If I was accused of being a Christian
is there enough evidence to convict me? Do I seek God or my own selfish gains?
And I hear the mutterings among you beginning...
“You’re judging us.” No I’m describing you. And why is it that only those
caught in sin don’t want to be judged? I love it when I can share Jesus, when I
am known as a man of God. Maybe today is the day to cleanout your soul and give
it to Jesus. All of it, all the sin. And it may hurt for awhile, major surgery
does. For me it cost me many old albums when I accused my son of listening to
poor music, so I let him remove from me what he thought was bad. Are we willing
to give up things to influence our kids in Christ?
One last thought on sipping saints. How would you feel in your son or
daughter called and needed you and you had been drinking? “I don’t drink enough
to get a buzz,” not knowing you have a buzz until you have one, like sleeping,
you don’t know you were asleep until you wake up. Is sin more important than
your kids? I choose my kids....and Jesus. So rather than being gloomy over
giving something up, be excited about what Jesus has to fill it. If love, joy,
peace, and patience are your desire, only he can provide them. Become that new
creature in Christ God wants us to be, the old things are past, put on the new
of Jesus Christ. Or be prepared to suffer the consequences like old King who
was told by God to destroy all his enemies, and left one standing. Guess which
one came back to kill him....
A small sin like a small stone in your shoe can be very painful. Now back
to the closet....and the closet of the heart. We all need cleansing, don’t
forget the spiritual, the most important. For the things seen are temporal, the
things not seen eternal.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com