“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
Beep-beep. Rumble-rumble. I hear the trash man pulling up to the driveway. Did I take out the garbage? Is it on the curb? I've forgotten more times than I’d like to admit!
Ever watch the show Hoarders? I admit it’s hard to look away as I stare in horror at the mess people allow to surround them. It’s like they don’t even see it. How is it even possible? Shocking, yes?
Then I think about life. What garbage are we holding onto? What’s obvious to others but normal for us? If we could view ourselves from the outside, looking at our garbage, would we be shocked?
Pain we hold onto. Lies we listen to. Nasty attitudes we cling to. Judgments we hold against others, feeling so justified.
Our garbage hurts us. But it often feels so normal. Sometimes it’s just been there too long, so we normalize it. Other times we feel justified, so we deem it normal. The people on Hoarders don’t see the garbage problem either, even though they often have to climb over boxes just to find their bed at night.
What if you forgave, instead of holding onto the pain? You’re not giving the person license to hurt you again. You’re freeing your heart instead.
What if you believed who God says you are instead of the lies from the world?
What if you swallowed your nasty attitude and loved the other person God’s way instead?
What if you stopped being the judge? That’s God’s job. Yours is to love your neighbor as yourself.
Lord, give us eyes to see the garbage in our hearts and minds. Help us to give it all over to You and heal the holes left behind. Let us choose You over holding onto the past. Walk with us into a new future, focused on You.
Life is too short to be holding onto garbage. Let’s take out the trash!
Photos by Aaron Burden, the blowup, Egor Komarov, &. Jack Blueberry on Unsplash
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