I do not work in retail, or marketing but I I have been inundated with advertisements. Through all this stimulus, I have come to the conclusion that store owners are trying desperately to rid themselves of their overstocked items. Whether it is cars, clothes or couches, it appears that the priority is to clean out the warehouses. As I look around my own house, this is not a bad tactic. My closets could do with a bit of re-organization, as well as culling the superfluous items on shelves that have just been gathering dust. In order to clean out, we really need to take a good look at what we have. In some cases, it is like a treasure hunt. That once prized sweater may have been buried under a pile of shirts and then when freed, it is as if we have a new wardrobe! The lost “whatsit” to the “gizmo” makes the “do-hickey” functional again! Even more exciting finding a $10.00 bill in a pair of pants or an old purse!
In the realm of our spiritual lives, there is an interesting phenomena that occurs when we take inventory of our own “stock room”. We may be completely clear about the catalogue of blessings, daily aware of each gift from God. On the other hand, we may be more like a 5 and 10 shop near my house that is packed wall to wall with merchandise; which makes it impossible for them to locate specific items, much less take inventory.
As we begin this New Year, let’s take a moment and do some organizing. It may be surprising to find out what we already have and may indeed shine some light on what we need to acquire.The Bible offers a running list of the blessings we have at our disposal. In this blog, I will only mention 3. The question is, are we actively incorporating them into our personal spiritual inventory?
1. Perfect Peace: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
In the store-room of my mind, am I relying on the perfect peace of God- or the momentary “peace” of the world? It is so easy to caught up in our circumstances and not remember that we have perfect peace that is not contingent on the daily occurrences we face.
2. Power of God: “We have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” II Corinthians 4:7.
How often is this essential element ignored in the Christian walk? I will be the first to admit that instead of being a “Jar of Clay” I want to be a “Platinum Package”. Invincible, impenetrable, and invulnerable! Yet, as I consider what my power produces as opposed to what God can do, I am silenced! My self-sufficiency is no match compared to the limitless power of God.
3. Prepared Place: “In my Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, you may be also.” John 14:2-3.
This world is not our final home as believers. Knowing this future hope gives enormous joy as we face disease, discouragement and difficulty. As the stress of living in an imperfect world mounts, do we focus on the here and now or on the age to come? In addition, what are we doing to share with others the “Good News” of a Heavenly home?
One of my favorite characters in literature is Sherlock Holmes. This brilliant sleuth described our brains like an attic. He was such an amazing detective because he never allowed irrelevant information into his brain; he just used the power of observation and deduction to guide him.
In the same way, as Christians, we need to observe the blessings and not allow extra stuff to accumulate. When we focus on the negative, we do not have room for the truth.
Maybe it is time to throw out the old boxes of memories that take up space. It may be that the photos of ancient worries or anxieties that need to be tossed. Once the space is cleared out, we might be surprised by the inventory in our warehouse. Perfect peace, God’s power and the promise of a prepared place will certainly give us a fresh beginning for the New Year! Grace & Peace!!
Soli Deo Gloria!!
Filed under: Godly Perspective, Spiritual Growth, Women and Faith Tagged: | encouragement, Hope, New Year
