De-cluttering
by Malcolm Wood
My wife has recently persuaded me that it’s time for us to ‘de-clutter’. We’ve started the process of ridding ourselves of items which are no longer significant to us, or which we can’t find any legitimate reason to keep. It’s certainly amazing how much ‘stuff’ a couple (with the help of three sons!) can amass during almost forty three years of marriage! Books, past gifts, old birthday and Christmas cards, mementoes, souvenirs, ornaments, pictures, clothing, even items of furniture have been scrutinised and selected for selling, scrapping or recycling.
Even items which have meant a lot to us in the past, and may have played an important part in our life at the time, have now been passed on, or relegated to the rubbish bin.
We have, however held on to those items of lasting value and real significance!
The children of Israel at times had to rid themselves of items which had been of help and value to them. The bronze serpent which had been a means of their healing had to be smashed (2 Kings18:4) Aaron’s rod and the container of manna, both symbols and reminders of God’s deliverance and provision were no longer in the Ark of the Covenant when Solomon took it into the temple (1Kings 8:9). Sadly even those things God has given us as a blessing, an encouragement, or a help can become a hindrance to our relationship with Him.
We tend to hold on to so much, both materially and spiritually, things that perhaps give us the comfort and security which we should be finding by drawing closer to God, and deepening our relationship with him.
Often we carry burdens we don’t need to, things such as false guilt, shame, regrets, unforgiveness, false responsibilities, and more. Christ died to set us free from these things. Perhaps we need regular times of ‘de-cluttering’ and bring those things in our life which we don’t need to carry, and lay them at the cross. Perhaps once again we need to take to heart the words of Jesus when he said: ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28).
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for dying for me so that I can be free. Forgive me for holding on to things in my life which I should release to You. Help me to be willing to let go of those things which are holding me back from enjoying the freedom You’ve made available to me. Amen.
Malcolm Wood and his wife Anna became part of the Ellel family as House Managers at Ellel Grange in 1990. Since then they have been involved with many aspects of the developing Ministry. From 2001 until 2015 they were Directors of Ellel Scotland where they hosted several International Schools and Operation Blairmore and helped pioneer the exciting Creative Inspiration Weeks. They have three sons.
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