The other day, I was talking with a co-worker about two junk drawers I have in my kitchen. She said she had a junk drawer too. I acknowledged there are things in the drawers that belong to me; other things belong to family members. Some items just need to be put in their proper place. I’ve cleaned out the drawers before only to allow them to become crammed with junk again. Even when I cleaned out the drawers, I never got rid of some things. The question begs to be asked…Why in the world do I keep all this stuff in the first place.
It dawned on me the drawers aren’t the only things that need to be de-cluttered. The junk drawer discussion taught me a valuable lesson. Like the drawers, there are things that clutter my life. Areas of my heart are congested with fear, worry, doubt, and stubbornness. I hold on to things that are of no use, and occupy valuable space.
2017 is the year of the Holy Ghost. This year demands that you de-clutter your life. I love to watch the house renovation shows on HGTV. When a house is being renovated the old stuff has to be tossed out in order to make room for the new. What new thing is God trying to introduce in your life, but all the clutter blocks your progress? De-cluttering requires that you develop what I call the gift of letting go. Ever notice when you clean out closets, drawers, the attic or garage you talk yourself into keeping stuff you should have let go a long time ago? Now is the time to let go of your belief system, toxic relationships, tardiness, procrastination, debilitating habits, unforgiveness and everything else that obstructs the flow of blessings in your life.
This is the year of restoration and recovery where God restores you and recovers what the enemy stole, and what you gave away. Your job is to make room for the new. How do you do this? The answer is found in Psalm 119:11. This verse says, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” As God’s Word takes up residence in your life, a renovation process begins with the removal of things that crowd out the move of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Isaiah 43:19 says, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” God is moving swiftly this year. Don’t delay. Now is the time to make room for the new thing God is trying to manifest in YOU! Enlist the help of the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to help you examine the contents of your heart. Pray for wisdom and strength to let go of the rubbish. Get rid of the relics of the past. Toss out the old and watch what God will do. He’ll replace doubt with hope, and fear with courage. Love will take up residence where hatred once resided. Peace will consume turmoil. Joy will overtake bitterness. Forgiveness will permeate the recesses of your heart.
God wants to bless you with greater. Let go of the old to make room for more. It’s time to let the de-cluttering begin!
Reverend Cynthia Jackson
Rhema Inspirations
Rev. Cynthia Jackson is the administrator of the Rhema4U Blog and the Program Manager of Innovations Ministries. Rev. Jackson is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was licensed and ordained under the tutelage of Bishop David G. Evans. She is an associate minister at Bethany Baptist Church located in Lindenwold, New Jersey. Rev. Jackson founded Innovations Ministries in 2001. Innovations Ministries provides dynamic and innovative programs and services for individuals and families dealing with various health-related issues. She is a gifted teacher, preacher, conference speaker and writer. God has anointed Rev. Jackson to be a spiritual midwife with a passion to empower others to birth God's vision for their lives. Rev. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Eastern University, a Master of Science Degree in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University and a Master of Science Degree in Christian Counseling from Cairn University. Reverend Jackson resides in Clementon, New Jersey.
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