I reached out to a friend to chat about a few ideas, and she mentioned something that we both do quite often – clean out the clutter. There are times when I can have a throwaway pile in minutes. Other days, I linger over every little thing, convinced I might need it next week. You too?
But today, I’m not talking about clutter in our homes. I’m talking about the clutter in our minds.
Before I can even get focused enough to organize a closet, my thoughts need a declutter makeover. Maybe you’re in that place, too. If so, I invite you to join me in tidying up our thinking spaces.
It seems as if the past week piled up with a clutter theme – but in a surprisingly good way. I was listening to a podcast, and the guest talked about how decluttering helps our hearts. (If you’re a fan of encouraging, faith-based podcasts, here is the link).
Listening to the decluttering expert on the podcast, I was inspired to declutter the bathroom cabinets. I followed the podcaster’s advice: Start small. Don’t take on an entire room. Just one little space.
As I sorted through things, realizing I don’t need to go to Target any time soon, I started thinking about:
Clutter doesn’t just hide in drawers and cabinets. It hides in our minds.
And honestly, that’s the clutter that needs the most attention right now.
After talking with my friend and hearing the same theme again and again, I finally asked myself:
What is cluttering my heart and mind right now?
Yes, clutter can be found in our closets and in those famous junk drawers, but we can also stash away clutter in our minds. That seems to be the clutter that needs the most attention for me right now.
Thinking about Martha in the Bible, her mind was cluttered with all the things she needed to do to get her home perfect for Jesus. On top of all that, she didn’t feel like her sister, Mary, was helping.
She was so focused on serving and all things hospitality that she lost sight of the main guest coming, Jesus.
“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” Luke 10:40
While my narrative is somewhat different than Martha’s, I imagine Jesus is trying to tell me the same thing. “[Melanie, Melanie],” “the Lord answered, “you are upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
I can relate. I can let one major life circumstance consume my thoughts until it becomes queen. When that happens, I find myself standing right beside Martha, overwhelmed and trying to control what I can’t control.
It can be easy to fall into comparison and think that Jesus is saying that Mary is better than Martha. But that’s not what Jesus intends at all. He simply answers Martha’s question and wants her to grasp what her soul truly needs.
Thank goodness there are people who are good examples, just like Mary. So this means it’s not impossible to let go of all our consuming thoughts or the things we need to do. We can rest in Christ. Our focus can stay on what’s most important.
When life circumstances become queen in our lives, we must remember to turn our focus to the king – Jesus.
It’s not that Martha’s hospitality or our current concerns don’t matter. They do. But what matters most is seeking Jesus first.
Heart Reflection for the Week
Is there a worry or responsibility that has overwhelmed your thoughts lately? Talk to Jesus about it and make space for Him to bring you peace.
Scripture
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Phillipians 4:8