Do you have too many clothes?
I do. Shirts, more than pants.
So, several years ago, we undertook an inventory. I yanked every T-shirt, dress shirt, work shirt (and other shirts) off the racks and shelves. We even hauled stuff down from the attic. With the help of Tim and Beth—our son and daughter-in-law—we launched a full-blown blitz.
Every shirt was scrutinized, and most were tried on. In one amazing hour, we went through everything. Rising up from the kitchen table: an impressive mountain headed for the resale store. And honestly, the process felt strangely freeing.
But if it’s healthy to take an inventory of our shirts, what about an inventory of our souls?
Working through that mound of shirts, we asked questions like
- Does it still fit?
- Is it worn out?
- Does it make me look better—or worse?
Shouldn’t we ask similar questions of our souls?
- Does this hobby or binge show of mine fit someone headed for heaven?
- Is my walk with Christ worn out in some areas?
- Do the habits I’ve taken on make Jesus look better—or worse?
There’s a lot to inventory: time, money, prayer, Bible reading, hobbies, relationships, possessions, and conversations. Trying to assess even one of those could be daunting. But avoiding the decluttering process is like avoiding the doctor, believing that will somehow keep bad news away.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a lot more inventorying to do. Here’s to decluttering the closets of our souls!
Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.
-Psalms 139:23,24
Photo by Linus Belanger on Unsplash