Over the past day, our back yard was transformed from a seemingly normal looking yard that needed mowed into an overflowing pile of dirt next to a large hole as we commenced a construction project on our home. It was a day of entertainment for our kids as they watched the backhoe uncover hidden treasures buried for years right next to our house. Things will look messy for a while before they return to normal at our place. It reminded me a bit of the ‘dirt pile’ not far from our house on the farm where I grew up playing with my siblings, swinging from tree branches, riding bikes, and other things kids do with dirt. It still brings back those memories when I return to visit my brother where we grew up. What messes have you had to go through to get where you are now?
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22
Having three young kids, my new talents have become cleaning up messes and trying to fix broken things. It doesn’t take more than five minutes for a house to be transformed from orderly to a disaster zone. In fact, I still recall my wife saying to our daughter just after she just cleaned her room tonight, ‘why did you take out all these things again?’ One thing we have also learned is that avoiding messes doesn’t make them go away. You can even tuck things in boxes or in the corner of your basement and they will still be there years later, if you don’t have to look for them. Regularly going through things that are stored is a good way to help assess what you really need to get by from day to day, as I’ve come to find out its not really too much. What things have you been avoiding going through?
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Are there any things buried in your past or deep down in your heart that you avoid digging up? Maybe some unresolved issues or unforgiveness that you notice from time to time, but just keep pushing down into a corner, hoping never to deal with again? We all have some of those, whether little or big issues. Avoiding them really doesn’t make it go away. I’ve found the best thing to do is dig them up and give them to God, as he is big enough to deal with any of our messes. In fact, he can even heal and transform those messes into something glorious for His Kingdom. I’ve seen it done many times in the lives of others, and even in myself. May you find that joy of having that buried junk changed into new treasures!
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Yours in Christ,
Clark
