It’s Time for Spring Cleaning!
Psalm 51:1-12
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins,[c] and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit[d] from me.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness! This is a saying that we have heard more than once. The wording is typically used to achieve tidy spaces by relating it to being Christlike. We often notice that the spring season is a reminder to reset a cluttered home. Windows are opened to welcome fresh air. Rugs are shaken to release dust. Every inch of the home is touched and made to look like new.
It is my belief that spring cleaning should occur in our spiritual lives as well. We spend the previous seasons pushing through trials and temptations. Friendships begin or end, habits are formed and forgotten, and growth has changed the way that we fit in our spiritual homes.
In Psalm 51:1-12, David asks God for mercy, joy, and cleansing. He confessed his sins by admitting that those sins have continuously affected his mind. He also asked God to forgive him and clean his slate. We know that David had a love for God that was tangible and significant. However, he still realized the need to confess his sins and start anew.
Imagine taking time to open your spiritual windows and reconnect with God; or shaking your routine to release any unhelpful habits. Have you outgrown certain relationships or behaviors? Is God waiting on you to pivot and go on a new journey? The answers to these questions come from intentional reflection.
It is a part of human nature to believe that we should keep going without reflection. We have a fear of slowing down and never reaching our intended target. While perseverance is valuable to our spiritual life, there is deliverance and revelation in taking a closer look at your relationship with God. If cleanliness is next to Godliness, I hope that we clean it all- our homes and our hearts.
Call to Action
Currently, the church body is fasting together. We are making physical sacrifices for spiritual gain. Maybe this is your nudge to participate and set specific intentions during this time? The best part of our relationship with God is that He is always present.
Reflections:
What in your life needs a physical or spiritual spring cleaning?
Are you participating in the corporate fast? Why or why not? If not, do you feel that you should?
How can you leverage accountability in reflection?