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“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21 (HCSB)

I was a bit fearful as we began the study, Breathe: Making Room for Sabbath…if you saw my closets and calendar, you would understand why. I was certain God would use this study to call me to get serious about clearing out the clutter and ordering my priorities.

Would he ask me to tackle the closets first, or would He be more concerned about the overcrowding that had crept into my schedule? As I leaned in to hear Him, He startled me with His loving whisper. Clear out the clutter in your heart. Seriously, God? Have you seen my closets? Do you see how busy I have become? I have some real work to do…

Unconvinced my heart was the project God wanted us to tackle, I set aside Breathe and turned to my daily devotional, New Morning Mercies. Running to something else when confronted with something uncomfortable. Surprisingly my breath was taken away by these words: “You and I don’t need to be rescued from the idols around us, we need to be rescued from our idolatrous hearts.” The scripture reference was Ezekiel 20, where the word Sabbath is used six times. Thank you, Lord, for your gentle confirmation.

Opening my heart to Him, God began showing me what needed to go. Hurts I was holding on to, fear of rejection and failure that was holding me back, good things—friendships, work, marriage, the perfect pair of shoes—that I had made into ultimate things (idols); wanting them to meet needs that only Jesus can meet. Lesser things taking up space in my heart. Space I want to reclaim so that I can love Him and others better.

So, I will work at this…cleaning out the clutter of my heart. Maybe I’ll get to the closets, too…

“Thank you, Lord, that you know us better than we know ourselves. Give us the wisdom and courage to get rid of everything that cannot be used to bring You glory.”

For His Glory

Ann Skalaski (www.shifting-sand.com)
TRBC Women’s Life