The hands, knees, and feet, former procrastinators, are physical body parts we use to obey. (Hebrews 12:1-2) With decluttering, we start with “Yeah, I need to get rid of stuff.” But mental assent is not obedience. Once we do submit our minds and hearts to the Lord on this topic, we must physically go into action. To delay is to keep limping.
When the Lord prompts, it can actually help to act before my heart and mind are fully onboard. The Lord works from the inside out and from the outside in. How many Hebrews on the leading edge of the multitude thought they should step into the riverbed? How many of Joshua’s men thought marching around the walls of Jericho would be profitable? Before they were persuaded, they obeyed. Afterwards, all were convinced!
The more we obey like that, the more we get to see God’s faithfulness and the closer we grow to Him. That makes stepping in the water easier the next time.
A friend says he saw no point in tithing until someone challenged him to try it. By doing it, he came to see the value of tithing. I could not see why it was so important to my husband to get to church before start time – until I began arriving early.
We develop new thinking through obedience. In the case of decluttering, we start even though it’s difficult. Stumbling steps still count. We get better and better at making decisions and taking action. We grow to want less, but we enjoy and use more of what we have. We’re more available to the Lord and others. We have more freedom and peace of mind.
In what area did you obey the Lord before being fully persuaded? How did you change?
Leave a Reply