If you know one thing about me, it’s probably that I’m tall. But if you know two things about me it’s that I’m tall and I’ve moved a lot and lived a lot of places. Southeast, Northwest, Mountains, SoCal, Middle America, been there, done that, lived there. If you have ever moved then you know, moving is stressful. Did everything get packed right? Will those things I hold precious make the journey safely? Then after the truck is unloaded, I know everything is here, but I don’t know where anything is.
Moving also forces you to evaluate. You need to go through all your stuff and decide, “am I going to move this box that hasn’t been opened in nearly a decade, one more time?” (For me I always want to answer yes). Getting rid of the things you don’t need is important, especially when it’s something that slows you down. And as much as we could all use a deep dive of spring cleaning to evaluate the stuff in our attics and basements, I know the same could be said about our hearts, minds, and spirits.
I wish it was as easy to get rid of our mental and emotional baggage as it is to get rid of your ill-fitting clothes or that old CD tower. Unfortunately, it takes a great deal more effort. David in Psalm 51 demonstrates for us the agony and relief that comes with facing the issues you need to deal with. He starts by recognizing his need for help, admitting to his faults, and asking to be forgiven. Each step in the process can take monumental effort, we live in a world where we’re never supposed to admit fault for anything.
Once we can acknowledge our need for change, we can start to do something about it. If it’s safe to do so, reach out and seek or offer forgiveness. Remembering that forgiveness doesn’t need to wait for an apology.
David sums up what we want perfectly in Psalm 50:10-12,
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Evaluating what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of is never an easy proposition. But we can take solace in the fact that we have a patient God who will walk with you through the entire process. You just need to be willing to start.