Cleaning Out My Closets: By Rachel Hofstetter

Why is it that closets have become a place where we store our junk? About this time every year, I have this annual tradition of cleaning out my closets. It may have started as a result of attempting to make room for the abundance received on Christmas Day, but I’d like to think my tradition stems from the fact that there’s something promising, something hopeful about starting the year fresh and uncluttered.

But the process to get there is painful. It’s hard to let go of things. This year was no exception. In addition to cleaning out our master bedroom closet, my family and I attempted to clean out our basement too. Little did we know, the endeavor would ignite an emotional landmine! We quickly became grumpy and tired. My husband and I got into a huge disagreement over expectations. Yet as painful as the process was, the end result was worth it. Nothing beats the feeling of clean closets (and a clean basement) once it’s finished. There’s space. There’s room to breathe. There’s freedom.

Our relationship with the Lord is much the same way. We clutter our hearts and store a ton of junk there. But God desires more for us than that. He doesn’t want us to live burdened down by the weight of our mess. In Matthew 11:30, God invites us to keep company with Him so that we can learn to live freely and lightly (MSG). Who doesn’t want to live life with margin to breathe and room to live freely and lightly? Yet most of us refuse this invitation. Why? Because we must first go through some pain before we can achieve “clean closets.” Fortunately, God promises that we don’t have to go through the fire alone.

I was recently reminded of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the book of Daniel. It’s the story of three friends who were thrown into a blazing furnace by King Nebuchadnezzar for refusing to worship a false god. Despite their circumstances, the friends remained steadfast in their faith. As a result, God not only stood with them in the fire, but He also rescued them. The story explains that when one of the King’s servants went to check on the friends, he reported “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Daniel 3:25 (NIV). All those who witnessed the event “saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.” Daniel 3:27 (NIV).

Friends, we do not have to fear. We serve a mighty and tender God who only allows us to experience the fire for our good and for His glory. God is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The same God who stood with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fire two thousand years ago is the same God who willingly stands with us today in whatever painful circumstance we face – whether it’s cleaning out the clutter in our hearts, battling cancer, going through a divorce, or experiencing financial devastation. His Word promises that He will walk with us through the pain, and when we reach the other side we will not be scorched or smell like fire. Instead, others will look at us and see Jesus, the One who saves. Why? Because when we’re willing to accept the invitation to walk through the fire, we can’t help but reflect the One who rescues us.

There’s nothing like starting the New Year fresh. So let’s seek our tender Savior together and ask Him to declutter the closet of our hearts so that we can abide in Him unhindered and free!

Rachel Hofstetter: I am a daughter of the King, a wife and a mother who recently left the workforce to homeschool my two boys. I am passionate about the importance of parents rising to the call to shepherd their children towards a relationship with Christ. God’s standard for those who have been given a trust is that they must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV). It is for this reason that my husband and I lead a life group at our church for families with young children. I also enjoy writing, working in the yard, home decorating, and running.