Empty to Make Room

One of the things my Mom imparted on me is what she calls "spacial relations."  In short, what I mean by that is I have been taught how to see a space and know what can and cannot fit into it.  I take it as a challenge most of the time, like fitting as much stuff as humanly possible in my Chevy Trailblazer to help a friend move, etc.So fast forward to my life now, where I can pack away stuff in my own home and you can't really tell.  Whether is it carefully organized in a closet, or in bins under my bed, or in drawers.  The point is I like to think of myself as a fairly organized person and try to keep things out of the way in my own house.This past weekend I decided I wanted to "clean house."  Not like Lysol / 409 / Pledge clean my house, but, the kind of "spring cleaning" or "cleanse" where you get rid of things that have been piling up in your house.I spent the majority of Sunday afternoon in my bedroom emptying bins from my closet, taking clothes out of drawers and going through every piece of clothing that I have accumulated over the years.  Yes don't worry, my goal is to donate anything I get rid of.Im original goal was to get rid of a couple of bins, and just consolidate a little.  But I got a little carried away and ended up filling 4 big industrial trash bags full of clothes to be donated.  I put them out in my hallway, out of my room, and I was extremely pleased with myself.  Then I looked back in my room, and I honestly couldn't tell the difference!  Because I was organized before, there was little to no difference at face value as to what really happened.  But I knew there was a change and trust me it felt good! I knew how much space I had made by getting rid of things I'd been hanging onto for so long.  I knew how much more storage space was created by the process!  It makes me more at ease in my home knowing its cleared out like it is.How close is this to how we treat our own lives and allow things to accumulate.  Maybe its a habit you started a long time ago that is harmful, but you just don't want to stop or can't.  Maybe its friendships/relationships that you have help onto for a long time but know you should have cut ties with.  Maybe its a guilty pleasure that you know you should give up, but just can't bring yourself to do.Now if you are like a lot of people, if you're doing something that you know is bad for you, you're more than likely going to try and hide it from others.   Maybe just not tell anyone you're doing it.  If thats the case then when you make the change and "clean house" then similar to my room, outsiders won't be able to tell a difference at face value.But when you get rid of those things it will make you feel better about what is inside, and more importantly it will create space for God to fill your life back up with things that are encouraging and glorifying to HIM.I waited way to long to get rid of some of the clothes I found buried away in my closet, please don't let the same thing happen in your life.  Do an inventory today of what you should keep and what you should get rid of to make more room for God.  Any room you make for HIM I promise will not be a disappointment!Below are a few passages I found that talk about not being a hoarder or being connected with earthly things.Matthew 6:19-21"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."Luke 12:22-24"Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!"Luke 12:13-21 - The Parable of the Rich FoolMark 10:17-27Verse  21 (please read the entire passage though)"Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.Then come, follow me.”