There is something that my husband doesn’t know about me.
It has been going on for a LONG time. (Don’t worry, it is nothing big!)
What Dan doesn’t know is that for years now, when I see a spider, stink bug, or any insect in the house and he is not around . . . I don’t do anything. The little creature goes on living its best life in my house.
Dan is different. If he sees a bug, he is immediately hopping up to get rid of it. There have been many times when I’ve seen a bug and thought to myself: Boy, if Dan were here, he would take care of it. Maybe I should go get rid of it, yeah. Well…maybe not. It’s all good…
And yes, this inner monologue ends with the creature continuing to live in my house. In fact, there is a spider – about the size of a dime – who currently resides behind my bathroom mirror. Three times in the last few weeks, he has come out to say hi! I think he is happy to crawl around my bathroom, and I have let him share my space.
But here’s the thing: spiritually speaking, I think we often do the very same thing. We let things that should not take up residence in our hearts continue to thrive and live. Things like pride, fear, anger, bitterness, resentment, and so much more. We either act as if they are not there or we choose to live with them.
We “stuff or fluff” – meaning we either push it far down, trying to ignore and put off dealing with the issue . . . or we dress it up and fluff it up like a pillow we’re trying to make look pretty.
But these sorts of things should not be taking up residence in a child of God. In fact, the more we allow their existence, the more we push Jesus out of our daily living. He wants to change us. He wants us to grow. He wants us to look like Him.
Look at what Paul wrote in Colossians 3:1-15.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: s— immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. [emphasis mine]
So what do we do? With a humble heart, we ask the Lord to reveal the bugs that we have let live for far too long. We then repent and ask Him to help us clean house. Paul is big with the put off/put on language. It’s time to take some action. Out with the old ways and in with what Jesus wants for you.
Jesus wants to do big works in you! Create the space for Him. Don’t tell Him there is no room; that has already been said. Let Him in with the freedom to stretch, grow, cleanse, and purify all the rooms of your heart.
What are you holding back? You can trust Him completely!
Blessings,
Kristen
