Clearing out the clutter

We’re halfway through the month of February and soon it will be the beginning of Spring. So many of us begin the daunting chore of clearing out the clutter from our homes. Somehow, we keep things we no longer use. In some cases, some of us have become “hoarders” because we think someday, we may use this gadget, blouse or tool again.

In fact, statistics show that if you don’t use a product within the first 6 months of purchase, it will never be used. Millions of American’s have a garage, closet or basement full of clutter!

So, what would happen if we “spring cleaned” our relationships like we did our home?

Every year we get the opportunity to meet new people. We go on vacation, attend a conference, land a new job or meet someone through a mutual friend. We “add” them to our friends list. But do we ever connect with them on a level that is meaningful?

See we live in a culture that promotes “the more you have, the better off you are”. This fits with just about anything.  But are we truly happier with having more? Or do we need to learn to do without the extra clutter? 
 
I too, had to look at it from a different perspective. I realized that I had so many people on my “friends list” that I didn't talk to anymore. It wasn’t we got into an argument, more like we grew apart. 

Was I carrying “clutter” into this next season that God has for me?

The word clutter means to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness

WOW. Now that’s powerful!

Please don’t misunderstand me, people are not clutter. But the emotional strings that are attached to those once relationships/friendships or family members could be causing impeded movement.  
Soul Ties.

So many think these two words only apply to couples who have sex before marriage because it can create a “soul tie”.

While this is true, what about the soul ties that you’ve picked up in friendships/relationships and family ties throughout  the years?
Have you ever heard negative words in your head only to remember that someone (who you thought was a friend) spoke that into your life?  
At the time it could have been out of concern, but then it became an impeded movement and it reduced effectiveness in your life.

I have heard certain phrases that have caused me to “second guess” what God called me to do.
 
As a matter of fact, every time I would step out, those words came at me like a flashing NEON sign to remind me of how I was not qualified.
The Lord later revealed it was an unhealthy soul tie that needed to be broken.

So how does this all tie into clearing out the clutter? 
God is moving. The harvest IS ready, but the laborers are few. In order to reach the next level or destination God has for us, we must clear the clutter in order to see the path before us.

 The hardest thing to do is step away from a relationship you thought was bringing life, but instead is speaking death.
Jesus knew it.  Yet that person betrayed Him with a kiss!  Can you imagine? Getting betrayed  was hard enough, but to be kissed as a “sign” of LOVE had to be hard even for Jesus.

Today if you are feeling like there is something stopping your growth, maybe its time to go into the closet of your heart and start clearing out the unwanted junk you’ve been holding on to “just in case”.
My best friend told me this years ago, and I live by it daily: A relationship should complement your life, not complicate it.

 If you are afraid that your circle will become too small, maybe it needs to. I’d rather have 3 good people that will lift me up and speak life into me than to have hundreds of spectators who are impeding my movement.

Spring is almost here! Start de-cluttering your life. It’s time for a new beginning. 

~Broken Beautiful Ministries