Most of us can be so set in our ways that we can’t smell redemption even if it’s right under our noses. No one likes change. No one likes to have everything they’ve ever known their whole lives dismantled to start a new journey.

Yet, redemption is always near. Look at the palm of your hand and find that God has already given it to you. What redemption?

I write about redemption in terms of acceptance of change, receiving newness of life, a breath of fresh air, something better than what you have right now. You may have achieved a lot already, but have you reached God’s best for you?

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

Spring Cleaning

The months of February through May are for spring cleaning — that old-time culture of getting rid of old unwanted things; deep cleaning the hidden nooks and corners of your home; a new season of reorganizing your life. Exciting, right? Well, the end-result is what most people like. The process to get there is a whole different ball game; it could be quite a challenge.

But it’s a hopeful time. Winter months spent holed up in a corner hiding from the light are over. Cold days spent indoors are officially out. The grass is evergreen again. Flowers bud and spring up after hibernation. Spring is here. Warmth has arrived. Praise God!

Have you been thinking about spring cleaning? What can spring cleaning reveal about you? Let’s see. I’ve listed three categories you can identify with, and in discussing these categories I’m going to create parallels to your spiritual life that can get you thinking.

There are three emotional states that spring cleaning can reveal about you.

1. Fear:

A lot of people can identify with fear. You constantly fear that you’re not good enough to do the work. That you can’t face the competition. That you can’t accomplish what you desire. That you can’t do this whole Proverbs 31 thing.

What if you don’t have what it takes? What if you were not “called”? What if you fail? What would you do if you don’t get it right? What would people say?

Questions upon questions ravish your soul. You don’t want to get rid of old items because you don’t know if you will need them in the future. You don’t want to reorganize because you don’t know how to do it. You don’t want to change. You just want to remain in your comfort zone.

What you don’t know is that if you don’t take a plunge you will never find out how good it feels to be totally submerged in water in a cool spring in the heat of summer. CLICK TO TWEET THIS.

Fear is dangerous. It hinders you. It’s like a stop light that never turns green. You will never find out God’s purpose for you if you never make a move. Take all the old things out already. They’re piling up in your home. The thing about fear is that you can become a hoarder of things from the past. Likewise, if you are afraid to have a deeper relationship with Jesus, you will not get to the next level.

2. Acceptance:

This is when you finally come to the conclusion that you need to make a move. You realize now that you don’t want to be a hoarder of your past. You need change. Yes, you need to do some intense deep cleaning.

You haven’t made a move yet, but at least you know it’s the right thing to do. It’s a great thing to reach acceptance. It means you’re ready to take an inventory. That you’re ready to search within yourself to find out what you need to get rid of. You’re ready to start making a list. And you’re ready to take action.

3. Bravery:

This is when the orange light turns green and you press your feet on the pedal. Yay! This is where you want to be today. The witnesses in heaven are standing up to cheer you on toward victory. This is when you reach spring cleaning day and you rise up to start getting rid of old things and start reorganizing your life. You act upon the Word you’ve received. You tell yourself, “I can do this.” Then you whisper, “It will not be by my power, but through Christ who strengthens me.”

So whatever you are afraid of, it’s time for a spring cleaning. First, accept that you need it. But don’t stop at acceptance, dear. Set a date. Be actionable. It’s time to go forth and do. Spring clean your homes if you haven’t done so yet.

But more importantly, spring clean your heart. For God does not focus on your outward appearance, He focuses more on what’s inside your heart. For me, I’ve learned that this annual rite of deep cleaning reorganizes not only my physical home but my spiritual mindset.

Ladies, what emotional state do you think you belong to right now? Fear, acceptance, or bravery?

Action: Don’t be afraid. Accept that you need change. Be honest with where you are right now. Then be ye brave to go forth and do! Yeah, you can do it! You can be everything God has called you to be, including that modern-day  Proverbs 31 woman. Let’s go there!