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Clearing the Clutter to Make Space for God

A few weeks ago, I started praying about one area of focus for 2017. What would my theme for 2017 be? Through a series of confirmations, I believe that the word that God gave me to centre my life around for 2017 is ‘capacity’.

This word got me very excited. To me, it meant that God would increase my capacity—meaning He would expand my ministry; give me more money; give me more discipline; and expand my business. In general, I would be able to do more, have more, and handle more … MORE, MORE, MORE.

Well, needless to say, the last two weeks have been ironic to say the least. I’ve found myself in the midst of a purging frenzy. Instead of ‘more’, God is telling me ‘less.’ Don’t you love how God works?

In the last few days, I’ve purged my clothes and tossed the outfits I don’t love, which is most of them; I’ve gotten rid of at least 30 pairs of shoes, most of which were acquired from other people; Tupperware containers that I’ve held on to because ‘you never know when you’ll need them’; make-up that was on sale but was never the right colour for me; books that I plan to read but probably never will. I’ve literally filled an entire room with STUFF. It feels so amazing to get rid of it. I feel so much lighter and at peace.

It occurred to me that God was teaching me a beautiful principle:

You cannot increase what’s already full! You must create space by getting rid of the clutter. More is less!

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41

This principle applies to all aspects of my life, and God is showing me that the clutter leaves no space for Him. He’s asking me to make space for Him in my life instead of filling every second with doing more—such as filling my mind with getting stuff done and filling my time with another Netflix movie. Like the story of Mary and Martha, He wants me to simply just ‘Be.’ In 2017 I hear God calling me to make space in my life and allow Him to fill it. He will fill whatever space we make available, but if our lives are already overfill then there’s no room for Him.

  • If our minds are overfull with thoughts of worry and anxiety, how can He fill our minds with His peace?
  • If our schedules are too full with our agendas, how can He give us direction and purpose?
  • If our closets are too full with stuff, our minds will feel cluttered because our physical space is a representation of our mental, emotional, and spiritual space.

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. Luke 12:18

As you close out 2016, take some time and ask yourself, “What’s taking up space in my life, in my home, in my mind, and in my health that’s keeping me from having a deeper relationship with God? As the rich fool in the parable above, what meaningless barns do you need to stop building? The message is, “If it’s not useful, get rid of it!” Ask yourself:

In Your Home

Do you need to declutter your clothes, shoes, linen closet, books, Tupperware, dishes— anything and everything that is taking up physical space that you don’t actually use? How much money are you spending on things you don’t really need? It’s time to let it all go.

Computer/Internet

What are the tasks that you’re doing that are not necessary, that are urgent in your mind but not important—checking Facebook statuses, checking email 30-100 times a day; surfing the internet; playing Candy-Crush or other games? What about your inbox? How many thousands of messages do you have saved?

Business/Ministry

What are you doing because you think you ‘should’ be doing it or because you think it’s expected of you even though God did not call you to do it? What tasks, chores, or responsibilities can you delegate to someone who can do it more efficiently and effectively?

In Your kitchen

What foods are contaminating your body and taking up space that healthy foods should fill? What foods keep you craving more and more junk—sugar, caffeine, alcohol? Get rid of it. It’s taking up space in your body that should be filled with life-nourishing foods that strengthen your body and glorify God.

Relationships

Who is draining you of your time and energy, yet you feel obligated to give it to them because of guilt or obligation? Or because you do not feel that you’re worthy of better? Who is leaning on you and weighing you down? Who is lifting you up? Who is keeping you from fulfilling your purpose? It’s time to get rid of dead relationships and make space for God.

All of these things are taking up too much mental and emotional space and leaving you feeling empty, yet full. God wants all of you. Not just what’s left over after you’ve filled your life with people, things, activities, and foods that only temporarily satisfy you. He wants to fill you with His love, His purpose, His direction, and His strength. All He asks from us, is to make space in our lives for Him.

I believe that 2017 will be my year of increased capacity! Not the ‘capacity’ that I originally envisioned, but God’s version, whatever that will look like. I’m committed to making space for God—physical, mental, and emotional space.

Will you clear out the clutter to make room for Him in 2017? Let’s do this together!

P.S.  Join me on Sunday, January 1st at 4:00 pm EST as we kick off 2017 making space for God in our lives.

In this Masterclass we will:

  • Get crystal clear, and laser-focused on your 2017 health goals that align with God’s plans and purpose for your life.
  • Create New Year’s resolutions that you can actually stick to.
  • Map out your year for success.
  • Learn healthy weight loss God’s way.
  • Receive a free gift of our transformational visioning tool that has been used to help women around the world achieve their healthy weight.
  • Sign up here: MASTERCLASS 2017

 

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3 Comments

  1. I think you are inside my head!
    God has been on my case about decluttering and simplifying my life this year. I really need to make more room for Him and stop trying so hard to get somewhere in my own strength. Thank you so much Cathy, you are an inspiration to me.

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