You know how it starts off.
You'll find all types of paper, mail, and "important documents" too. Let's not forget those mysterious screws, nuts and bolts, that you somehow just can't bring yourself to throw away, right? You tell yourself, "These screws right here probably came off of something I need... guess I better keep 'em."
Before you know it, a whole year has gone by. You've got those same random pieces and still have not figured out what in the world to do with them. Well, I finally came to grips with the fact that the junk simply had to go. I pulled out all sorts of things, organized them, and then put the useless stuff in the "unwanted" pile in the middle of the floor. After I was done extracting everything I thought needed to be tossed, I swept it all into a heaping pile.
But, before I could rake the items onto my dust pan and dump them into the garbage bag, the kids invaded my workspace. One by one, they began identifying some things that belonged to them in my "trash pile" that they weren't ready to part with. So, they hastily began picking up their little treasures, because they know... when mommy goes on a cleaning rampage, virtually anything is liable to wind up in the garbage. My husband often teases me about it too. I must be honest, sometimes I do get a bit carried away and mistakenly throw away the good with the bad.
If we're not careful, we will make that same error when working to order our lives, clear out our spaces, and get rid of the things that hold us back. If we don't consult the Lord, we'll end up severing healthy relationships right along with the toxic ones. We'll disconnect from divine connections.
When it comes to ordering your life and aligning it with the will and plan of God, don't throw everything away. Remember to always pray for wisdom and guidance, so you can effectively determine who and what should go or stay, as well as when to detach and when to remain attached.
I cannot stress this enough. You and I cannot afford to trust our own judgment, because our emotions, preconceived notions, and biases can cause us to dismiss the very thing or person God wants to use to bless us. Trusting in our earthly wisdom instead of divine revelation can also result in us being manipulated, deceived, and taken advantage of, by individuals who only seem to be authentic. Underneath it all, however, they are nothing more than wolves in sheep's clothing.
Prayer and discernment is the key to making effective decisions.
As you well know, we can't put everything and everybody into the trash pile, and lump the helpful and the hurtful in the same category. We'll end up self-sabotaging that way, and that's not what God wants for you and me. Instead, He wants us to be whole and balanced, so we can walk out our destiny, fulfill our purpose, and maximize our potential in this life.
Today I admonish you to draw near to the Lord by spending time in His presence, so you can more clearly hear and heed His voice. Trust me when I tell you, He'll order your steps every single time.
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
