Cleaning is an overwhelming process.
The picture above is of my literal kitchen. Last week, Robert and I shared a series of illnesses, including the flu and a stomach virus. Starting Wednesday, we were pretty much quarantined in our home, and yet nothing home-y was accomplished. Hence the kitchen.
By Saturday, I was physically fine, but mentally overwhelmed by the thought of how much laundry needed to be done, how many dishes needed to be unloaded and/or washed, and how unkempt our entire house was. I needed to do some serious housework, but I was rendered useless because of how many things were out of place. It was going to take a lot of energy to rid my house of all of its germs and dirt and filthy pileup.
Sin is a lot like that, isn’t it?
When we’ve got it in our lives, it seems overwhelming to get rid of it. Whether it is an addiction (pornography, alcohol, drugs) or a habit (gossiping, complaining, lying), it seems impossible to get rid of it. We know we need to quit (or start – like studying or praying or giving or evangelizing), yet we can’t get our heads around how. It’s too much. It’s overwhelming.
But here’s how I cleaned my house: I started with something small. I put in a load of laundry. Then, I unloaded the dishwasher. And once those easy tasks were out of the way, I felt empowered to take on more difficult/unsavory tasks like washing dishes (am I the only one who HATES this?!) and taking out the trash (scented trash bags post stomach bug are the grossest thing known to man). And once I’d accomplished a few more things, I was excited! I knew I could keep on. So more laundry and wiping counters and putting up clothes and picking up random things and putting them away. Before I knew it, the house was mostly in order. But if I hadn’t chosen to take that first step toward cleanliness, my house would have remained out of control.
The same goes for sin. Unless we’re willing to take that first step, we likely won’t conquer the behavior. A lot of the time, it takes stepping out into the aisle. Admitting we’re struggling. Admitting our hearts are clinging to the filth, overwhelmed by the cleaning process. From there, small steps toward sanctification. Making a schedule for study. Finding an accountability parter for addictive sins. Putting scriptures around your house that remind you of the person you’re supposed to be. Setting daily reminders on your phone for things you need to do or not do. Keeping a prayer journal and tracking your progress. Know that you can do it. Even though it seems overwhelming, living a holy life is attainable. It is within your grasp. You just have to let go of sin and grab hold of God. He will not fail you or allow you to fall. So long as you’ll walk with Him, Jesus’ blood will cleanse you of all of the sin that tries to cling to you.
All of us have these messes. None of us are perfect (see my kitchen? And I host a podcast about being a good wife! Ha!). But all of us can take the first step toward faithfulness. And once the first step is taken, the rest are much easier.
