13 DECEMBER 2023

 

Uncluttered

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones.” (Luke 1:52)

Some years ago, I heard a speaker say that if you want to know how your life is going at present, look in the boot of your car – what do you see? Boxes, bags, and clutter? Or do you see “a place for everything and everything in its place?”

Perhaps it isn’t the car boot for you – mine is currently my study at home – but the principle remains true: the amount of clutter you find in “your boot” can be an indicator of how much clutter there is in your personal life.

What has this got to do with Mary’s statement that God will bring down “rulers from their thrones?”
Think of a guy called Solomon who reigned over Israel for 40 years, and nearing the end of his life described it like this:

“In my opinion, nothing is worthwhile; everything is futile. 

So, I turned in despair from hard work as the answer to my search for satisfaction. This is not only foolish but unfair. So, what does a man get for all his hard work? Days full of sorrow and grief, and restless, bitter nights.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:20-23)

Despite a life considered successful in the eyes of the world, as he neared the end Solomon saw just how cluttered it was with work, pleasure, money, and success – but there was no satisfaction or meaning.

In the later years of Solomon’s life, there was plenty of room for “stuff”, but no room for God – and he was ultimately “brought down” by it.

A cluttered life will bring you and me down as well.

Simplicity is a call to bring order to our private world by de-cluttering and getting rid of the “stuff” that prevents us from making room for God in our hearts.

Are you frustrated with the lack of meaning in your life?

Time to look in the boot!

Look in your “boot” – what do you see? Think how it reflects your life at present and what you need to de-clutter so you can make room for God over this Christmas Season.