It will be that time of year again.
The time of year when we all get a little cabin fever and start thinking about spring approaching. Spring brings many wonderful things: returning birds, new leaves, melting snow, spending time outside and, of course, spring cleaning.
Even those who don’t pride themselves about their organization and “type A” probably appreciate the satisfaction of accomplishing a good spring cleaning.
There is something deeply satisfying about putting things in order, cleaning up, and even downsizing.
This should not surprise us. God, we are told, is “not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Although this verse specifically refers to the health of the Church, the truth that orderly and peaceful things come from God can also be applied to other circumstances.
God created the world in an orderly way, as the Genesis account tells us. And as scientists continue to discover, the world is built on orderly principles, from the way living organisms are classified into genera, species, etc., to the way celestial bodies rotate.
We are made in the image of God, so we often find joy when things are orderly, clean, and functioning well, as God does.
I would say that few of us consider spring cleaning a spiritual activity, although we are probably familiar with the old maxim that “cleanliness is next to godliness.” But even though this phrase seems generally aimed at children to encourage them to do housework, it hides a deeper truth.
Granted, God doesn’t require you to have a spotless home to be close to Him or to follow Him wholeheartedly, but the effects of spring cleaning can have implications for our faith.
Here are some specific ways that a clean and organized home can truly benefit your relationship with the Lord:
1. Decluttering and organizing can help you simplify your life and prioritize the things that really matter.
So often in our busy 21st century schedules, we let things distract us from what Jesus calls “the good part” and the “only thing worth worrying about” (Luke 10:42). Simplifying our lives by downsizing and decluttering may go against the “get, get, get” mentality the world shouts at us, but getting rid of distractions allows us to focus more on the things that really matter.
2. Having an organized and decluttered home can open up hospitality opportunities.
Now, let me first say that God can work in messy spaces as well as organized spaces if He chooses, and for those with young children, keeping a spotless home probably can’t (and shouldn’t) be your priority. However, organizing and cleaning the spaces we live in when possible can open up great opportunities for hospitality, which can lead to other ministry opportunities.
On the one hand, we are more likely to invite other people over if our homes are clean. But cleaning and organizing the spaces we live in can also be a way to serve others and remember that any blessings we receive come from the Lord and are not really ours. A relaxing, welcoming home environment can mean a lot to a couple with young children, and you might want to invite a friend from out of town for a meal or to stay the night.
I have been invited into many homes over the years and always feel truly grateful to those who work to keep their homes clean and organized. This may seem like a small blessing, but it can turn a heart toward gratitude, which is not something to take lightly.
3. Having a clean and organized home can help you save time.
While this may seem like a purely practical concern, it also has spiritual implications. How many times have you wasted time digging through your disorganized pantry to find the box of cereal you wanted to have for breakfast? Or how many times have you wasted time digging through your dresser drawer to find the right pair of socks while getting dressed in the morning? I’m definitely guilty of this sort of thing. Worse yet, it’s often these stupid little things, which could have been so easily avoided, that take up the time I had planned for a few minutes of Bible reading in the morning or a few minutes of prayer before bed.
I have found that the cleaner and more organized my home is, the more time I need to spend with the Lord or with others who need my time. Having a clean and organized environment also makes me more likely to be in the right frame of mind for my morning reading devotions or to have a time of prayer.
These are just a few ways we can glorify Him by striving to be good stewards of the things God has given us.
How have you discovered that keeping a clean and organized home can benefit your relationship with the Lord?
Veronica Neffinger is the editor-in-chief of ChristianHeadlines.com.
Publication date: February 25, 2016
