So today was our town's Annual Garage Sale. Anyone can participate and it gives an opportunity to "unload" a bunch of stuff we no longer use. Seeing how I got up a 5am to finish setting up, I had a lot of time to think as I was organizing and pricing. I know this is dangerous, but I decided to dive into it a little bit.
How great would it be for us to have an Annual Spiritual Garage Sale. A day where it is okay for us to "unload" our baggage to someone else. It's the end of the day and we see what we have been able to get rid of, and we feel accomplished. Why is it so hard for us to dig into the corners of ourselves and find what has been lurking there and bring it out? Why can't we just talk about what has been "collecting dust" and weighing us down? While we all know we can talk to Jesus about what weighs us down, sometimes we need a little more. James 5:16 NIV says "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
I find that there are many reasons we don't go "there". Whether it is Shame, Guilt, or just pure Denial, we find it easier to keep it within. In essence, we are becoming a "hoarder". A hoarder is defined as someone who keeps a stock of valued objects, typically one that is secret or carefully guarded. While it would be great to have a Single Garage Sale day where we could just release all the baggage and not have any of those feelings that hold us back. To be free at the end of the day and much "lighter". The thing is, we need more than just 1 day a year to address these things, and we are have to be able to let go of whatever it is we are clinging to so tightly. Find someone who you can talk to and experience what it means to be rid of the baggage. You see, the devil clings to our baggage, and if we let it go, he has nothing to hold on to.
The other side of the coin would be how can you help take that baggage from a friend? How many times to do we avoid talking about what is hurting a friend? Why doesn't your friend confide in you? Maybe, he just needs to hear that you won't pose judgement, that you also have baggage. It may start, with you having to go first and let him know that you are not afraid to bring to light what you have kept in the dark. For how can someone be willing to share with you, if you are unwilling to do the same. It is scary and it gives me anxiety because I also have the fear of being judged. But then I remember, fear is a tactic of the devil and I will not let the devil cling to anymore of my baggage.
I am having a Spiritual Garage Sale, and it is open 24/7, 365.
No comments:
Post a Comment