Reset

Last Wednesday our office took a day for “reset.” Basically, this time was our version of spring housecleaning. My space, at least, desperately needed a make-over.

I started from the top and worked my way down. The dust layered thickly on the tops of my bookcases. I threw out trash and re-organized my books, notebooks, and supplies.

My files – well, organization is not my strong suit. I found folders under the clutter that I had forgotten about (fortunately nothing urgent). Many items needed to be filed, and some just thrown out.

By the end of the day, order prevailed where chaos once reigned.

When I looked around my rearranged cubicle, I was pleased. Hopefully it will last at least a few days, but I am well aware of the law of entropy.

Unfortunately, I also tend to let my spiritual life drift into a mess. Not intentionally – I just get distracted and overly busy with – – busyness.

How does one do a spiritual “reset”?

First, take a spiritual inventory, sort through those files.   But sometimes I wear blinders and don’t see issues in my life that flash “warning” in neon lights to others.  Fortunately, there is a Helper:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!”  Psalm 139:23-24

Second, take out the trash.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Third, give control back to God – as the Psalmist wrote: “. . . lead me in the way everlasting!”

Fourth, keep short accounts. My space would be more “user-friendly” if I kept it organized. The office schedule now sets aside every Wednesday morning from 9-10am for a mini-reset. Spiritually, I have to do it more frequently than that.  Why?

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”  Isaiah 59:2

If I expect to have a close relationship with God, I must recognize that He demands a clean slate.  My life works better when I routinely examine myself, admit my transgressions, and turn control back to him.

Do you know what ‘trash’ is short-circuiting your connection with God? If not, have you asked Him to show you?