DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS CAN BE AN EMBARRASSING time for me. Embarrassing because in the task of un-shelving all the boxes filled with the Christmas decorations I once again come face to face with all the stuff that clutters my garage. Having to move boxes of this and that in order to get to more this and that is a sad reminder of just how much stuff fills my life. It makes me long for a much simpler life.
Even more troubling is the reality that this cluttered garage is sometimes emblematic of the whole of my life. My days seem filled with clutter, things which too often keep me from the truly important things. In fact, my life can be so cluttered that I even lose sight of the important things. Important things like faith, family and friends. What’s a guy to do (besides setting fire to the garage that is)?
While musing over the clutter of my life, especially during this season of the year, I came across a quote from Julie Morgenstern, in her book, Organizing from the Inside Out, she writes, “Ritual clutter comes from making something into such a production that the activities and thoughts associated with that thing become almost paralyzing.” I think she has hit it right on the head.
I find this “ritual clutter” also fills my relationship with Jesus. I find myself making my daily journey into such a production of specific activities that I never really reach the point of living in relationship with Him. I find myself too worried about praying first, then reading my Bible, then jotting down thoughts in a journal, and if I don’t do it just that way it just wasn’t a valid “time with the Lord.” I don’t think this was the relationship Jesus desires to have with me.
Jesus desires us to live with Him as He lives with us. He desires that we enjoy the journey, taking time to enjoy all the blessings, even those which come during the difficult steps along the path. Sometimes I think we need to lay all the hiking equipment down and just enjoy the walk with our Lord, especially during this season of the year.
Peace.