What are you packing around?

This evening after dinner, my mom, my sister, and I went to the mall to shop for a couple items. While we were there we decided to check out the new Vera Bradley colors that just came out and Mom purchased me and Katie both new Hipster bags. (males reading this hang with me! I promise this blog is NOT about shopping) Anyways, the new bag she bought me is great! It's small and convenient and SO cute but when I got home, I realized a problem.... the bag was about 1/3 the size my normal purse! As I am trying to transfer my stuff over I realize there is no way all this junk is going to fit in this new handy bag of mine. This leads me to make some very difficult decisions such as: Do I really  need to carry around a whole bottle of sunscreen everywhere I go?, Do I really need 4 shades of lip gloss that I maybe wear once a month?, Do I really need a medicine bag with burn ointment and Qtips for maybe 2 times a year that someone asks for it? hahaha okay so maybe they're not that difficult. But the more I sorted the more I realized I had been carrying around a whole load of junk on my arm that I didn't even need! This wasn't even counting all the random papers and coupons, etc that were basically just trash. As I prioritized and rearranged my "important" items into this newer smaller bag, God hit me with the thought.... Now why don't you sort out your life like this? How much trash and unneeded items are you carrying around in your life and in your heart? As I begin to evaluate my life and reflect on the coversations I've had with others, I see three major categories of "junk I hold on to."

#1- Sin. The obvious. I think that all of us as Christians hold on to some sin consciously or unconsciously. The human in us says "everyone sins. no one's perfect. God fogives me." but the Bible says in Romans 6.12-14, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and you members to God as insturment for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." and then in PHilippians 3.13-14 "... forgetting what lies behind and straining for what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for th prize of th eupward call of God in Christ Jesus." Regardless of the sin, how big or small we may think it is, and regardless of the grace from Jesus that covers our sin, when we allow sin in our lives it hinders our relationship and communion with God.

#2: Worry! This semester has been an up and down roller coaster for me. I'll go a few days and be completely stressed and anxious and then have to go back to God all over again and profess my trust and accept His peace. It seems like almost a daily cycle for me. It's easy to justify and throw up every tiny thing in our lives that isn't going the way we had wished but the Bible gives no room for worry. Phil. 4.5-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by porayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Matthew 6. 31 & 33 say "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or What shall we dring?' or 'What shall we wear?"... But seek first the kindom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." For me I hate that these verses tell me not to worry but the verse I LOVE to claim when things are going my way and I have to re-surrender my trust in him is Romans 8.28: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose!" Thank You JESUS!

#3: Expectations. I think so often we carry around these expectations people have of us and we desire to fulfill them more than we desire to please Christ. Sometimes this can lead us to sin or just simply being to concerned with reputation more that relationship. God calls us to do all we do and say all we say for HIS glory not our own. Colossians 3.17: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The purpose of me carrying a purse is so I can have all the items I need with me at all times. But when I clutter those needed items with unneeded items, it only makes it harder for me to find what I need and heavier for me to carry. It's the same way in our lives. Our bodies are created for one purpose: to glorify Jesus. When we clutter our lives with actions, thoughts, activities, and obsessions that in no way help to glorify Jesus, we make our load heavier and it harder for us to glorify Jesus with the gifts He wants us to use. So I think as Christians and at least for me.... It's time to clean out the purse!

Hebrews 12.1-2:"... lay aside everyt weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfector of our faith who for the joy that was set before HIm endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

CONVERSATION

3 comments:

  1. Wow I have to say at first thought it was shopping...HahA love it Brandy!

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  2. Vada Baldwin & NedApril 2, 2012 at 12:19 AM

    I am so proud of you Brandy you touch my heart with your words. I can feel you know what you are talking about I also feel your LOVE for JESUS keep on Sharing HIS WORD.

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  3. Love this message Brandy! It is truly a message and not just a blog! You are right too as I think we all need to "clean out our purse" (or wallet) from all the "junk" that clutters our relationship with Jesus. It is so easy sometimes to just "take it on the chin" or put it off till later and not take it to Jesus who is the one that cares and loves us the most!

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