Early Spring Cleaning

Sitting back in my desk chair and looking up to the Lord for inspiration, I noticed cobwebs making a path between the light fixtures on the ceiling fan, a virtual highway around the room for the busy spider that did all that work. The redecorating going on in here prior to the time away in Costa Rica on the mission trip has left this room looking neglected, ignored and unlived in. Seriously, no little cleaning fairies visited my house while we were gone…one can always hope.

The sight of the cobwebs instantly took my mind to the areas of our lives we ignore, too. I saw a mental image of a room as one would see in a movie where the furniture was covered, cobwebs hung like dismal garland on a dried up Christmas tree. Dust tinted the air with tiny shafts of light illuminating the dancing floaties. Pictures of lives past hanging on the walls staring out into the emptiness where light, life and laughter once resounded. It was a dismal sight, indeed.

Then I saw faces of people in momentary absence of the present as they tiptoed through their own dusty spiritual rooms of neglect, the ones they slam the door on only to peek inside once and a while…they can’t help themselves. It’s a fleeting visit but it leaves a look that is always the same haunting stare…funny how it doesn’t vary from person to person.

I’ve seen this happen with people everywhere. There are those that live in a state of spiritual darkness that wear that absent stare more often than most. Even Christian Believers have a time, albeit shorter, where the ‘look’ crosses their face. A hearty laugh and quick wit can distract and hide the fleeting moments better but they are still there.

I believe that we will have those moments as long as we live on this side of heaven. The Bible tells us the enemy roams around looking to kill, steal and destroy. Wearing our Armor of God, we are protected but little things, things we do not give a lot of thought to, can open that door – just a crack will do, to let the enemy lead you back into the room for even a second. A judgmental thought, a snarky remark, a flash of temper…little things, that’s all he needs…crack the door enough for him to slither in and pull you in the room. Oh, yes, we are forgiven for those things when we acknowledge them but our earth-bound beings are prone to lapsing into an unwatchful state capable of ignoring our own ‘little things’ though we see the ‘little things’ of others in a glaring light. Hmmm…….

Today, I will knock down the cobwebs on the ceiling fan. I will also ask God to reveal to me where I have hidden cobwebs in my spiritual life, areas I have ignored and not been diligent to maintain. I want to kick the door open and clean house!! Who’s with me?