The Junk Room

**no, this picture is not a room from my home*
When I clean my house, I tend to work in a circle. Because the first floor of my house is... circular.

So right off the bat, I designate one room to focus on. And my first task? Declutter it. Remove any item that doesn't belong in that room and put it in the room it does belong in (sometimes that just means throwing it in).

Then once that room is completely finished, I move on. Around I go, moving from one room to another, with much the same strategy.

But when I finish, there is always a pile of "misplaced things" that don't even belong on that floor. Usually, it just goes on the stairs for a later time when I feel the need to haul it up. Or if I'm in a particularly adventerous mood and want to tackle the entire house, I'll immediately drag it all upstairs so I can clean the second floor as well.

And yes, where the same cleaning method is put to use. I move from room to room. Until I get to the last of the rooms, where I survey The Stuff that either needs to be put stored away, has been outgrown, or has no longer has any functional need. It's a large-ish pile, this load of unnecessary possessions, depending on the depth of cleaning I just finished.

Usually, it just ends up on the third floor. The forgotten full-attic. And there it remains, in a box, unorganzied, until I get REALLY adventerous or am ready to deliver a baby (ie nesting). :)
My point?

Welll, as I was cleaning the first floor today, the Lord started to stir up this pattern of cleaning in my heart. Showing me how when we clean, we're all too content to throw the leftovers in a "junk room" of sorts. And he said:

"People like to make all the areas that are out in the open and seen by friends clean. straight. well kept. They completely live like the hidden piles of stuff don't exist. But I'm saying that This is the Year to clean out your junk rooms. To allow Me to open the door, step in, and get rid of ALL the stuff that doesn't belong. To make room for more of What I Have Set Aside For You."

Yes, I know he's not talking about the 8 pairs of cute, though completely unnecessary, infant shoes I have stored in the attic (though I am wanting to get rid of some of that as well). I realize He speaks of the ugly heart issues that can be pushed aside. Forgotten, even. And though it may be inconvenient or emotionally messy, I really do want to open up the door and let him clean house.

Ironically, I was just telling a friend this week that I want to know my relational blind spots. I want to know them b/c I want them gone. I guess the whole junk room scenerio parallels my desire to see what is currently out of my line of sight, eh?

Alright, Lord. Open my eyes, my heart, my proverbial junk room door. I don't want to house anything that is not of You.

And would you do the same for the Church at large? Because I have a feeling that you're getting ready to pour yourself out in radical ways. And I know everyone wants to have the room...the heart capacity...for what your Spirit is about to dole out.