Episode 187

TODAY’S READING:

18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

 

Are you an avid cleaner? I try to clean out my closer literally every 4 weeks. I live with roommates, so I really only have the space in my room for the things I collect, and as a Star Wars nerd with a queen-sized bed, there really isn’t much room for anything else.

 

Yet every 3 months, I find myself trying to make room, declutter and find space for the items I have.

 

Yesterday was one of those nights; after work, I jumped on my peloton and had dinner, then I dove into my room for hours. Removing all of the boxes I had under my bed, sweeping, sweeping, and more sweeping. I was really able to organize my mess, but I couldn’t help but to look at it and ask, “How did I get here?” I had literally cleaned out my room before the new year.

 

The truth is, I never really cleaned out my room. I would just find a new home for most of my items. The problem with that was that I was rearranging my things to look like I had my life put together but really, the problem of just having too much stuff was still there, and I really didn’t have my life put together.

 

We have humans do this rearranging in real life too. We move cities, change careers, change routines to feel like we have our lives together but in reality, we are just covering up our problems with distractions.

 

When you catch yourself in this kind of behavior, remind yourself that you are probably coping with something much deeper. When you sit and unpack that you will most likely find years of pent-up pain. You seek new careers, new cities, or big changes because you feel stuck in your session, rather than asking God to help you understand why he has you in this season, to begin with. We must remember the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. Like this verse says, he saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 

I am not sure where you find yourself today but stay grounded. Ask God for guidance and try and release the need to rearrange your surroundings for the hope of feeling better.

 

PRAYER

Father God, we thank you for yet another beautiful day. I ask that you bless this day, bless it for me and the person on the other side of this mic. Jesus, I ask that we have the strength to lean on you when we have underlining pain we are processing. Please remind us that you are closer than our very breath. Remind us that we do not need a new city, a new wardrobe, or a new career, but we need to go deeper into our relationships with you. We ask that you help us unpack anything we may be hiding underneath our beds, figuratively speaking. It is with everything in us that we pray, Amen!