The Junk Drawer

Almost every home has one somewhere, hidden from view. Sure, it started innocently enough, with just a few things here and there, but everyone kept adding to it. Over a period of weeks and months it increased in size to the point where something has to be done; it can’t be ignored any longer! Someone must clean out the "junk drawer."

Yes, most of our homes have a place reserved for junk, things we don't regularly use but don't want to throw away. It may be a cabinet drawer in the kitchen, or the hall closet, or the garage, but there it is, and it accumulates and clutters up so fast that finding anything becomes almost impossible. It is only with the greatest amount of courage we go to these places to sort things out, clean them up, and provide order once more.

Unfortunately, our lives can resemble a junk drawer. We can allow so many things to occupy our time and clutter our lives, there is no room left for what is really important. Or, perhaps we allow sinful things to enter our hearts and take root in our lives, things we want to keep hidden from others, things which can grow and turn us away from God. Only with a renewed commitment spiritually will we find the courage to take inventory of our lives and sort out what is important from what is not, what should come first from what must follow, what activities we should cease and what should take their place.

The affirmation of Jesus still holds true; "But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33). Putting God first keeps our priorities clear, letting us walk each day in fellowship with Him and the cleansing the blood of His Son provides (1 John 1:7). Putting God first keeps us focused and pure, offering a more consistent and peaceful existence than that which allows sin to accumulate, only to be dealt with later.

Let us rejoice in the love of God offered in Christ Jesus. Let us reflect on what we have in Him and the importance of His will in our lives. May we clean out the junk of sin and neglect from the hidden places in our hearts, that we can find what is truly important and needful for our lives.

Robert Johnson