I know it's been a long time since I've posted. You don't know how many times I've sat down and even started to write but gotten interrupted either by a legitimate need or by the wanderings of my own mind... which have been very challenging during this season of transition and transformation. There is so much to do and so much to think about.
One of the things I've been having to do, of course, is cleaning out every nook and cranny... and having to decide what to keep and what not to keep. I have to admit I don't own a lot of earthly treasures in terms of material possessions and I'm not real sentimental beyond my photos and certain Christmas decorations, so it's probably easier for me to toss than it would be for many of you. But it's still challenging... especially knowing we're downsizing but not sure just how far down in size we're going yet!!
I couldn't help but think of the verse, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" as I looked at these before and after photos of my closet. The before is full of clutter and stuff I've outgrown or simply don't need any more. Some of it looks good hidden in my closet on a hanger but it would not look so good if I were to wear it out into the world. And some things might not look so good on me but might look great on you so I'll be giving them away. And then there are those things I've held onto that may be comfortable but are now totally out of style or ragged beyond repair and simply need to be discarded. Oh my... can you see how much this parallels our lives and our thinking.
God knows we need to clean out the closets of our minds every day... to get rid of the clutter that keeps us confused or conformed to the ways of this world, tossing out ways of thinking that are outdated and don't line up with God's Word, or thinking that is simply comfortable but not good for us. And God knows that the best way to clean out the clutter of our minds is by replacing the old thoughts with His thoughts... and as we do the "before" is gone and there is a sense of order to our thinking that brings peace and hope and a confidence... not in the ways of the world but in the ways of God.
"Do not be conformed to 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 and pleasing and perfect will." Roman 12:2
Heavenly Father, I know I'm not alone in confessing that the clutter in my mind is a battle I face daily. I ask that as You continue the work You've begun in me... and I continue to be in Your Word... that You would replace my wrong thinking with thinking that brings glory to Your Name and peace to my heart.
