Spiritual Spring Cleanin’

Well, mercy me, would you look at that, the Lord done opened up a fresh new batch of daylight for this here ol’ world, and He’s invitin you to step right into it like a happy farm dog ‘a-trottin’ out to greet the new mornin’. Go ahead and let yourself be ‘a-settlin’ into His peace and comfort ‘cause the joy of His salvation is way sturdier than a fence post done sunk real deep into good soil.

Luke 19:45-46 tells us Jesus done walked into the Temple and cleaned house. I mean He done cleared it out faster than a rooster clears out a henhouse with feathers ‘a-flyin’ when a hungry fox done showed up. Folks were ‘a-‘sellin animals, ‘a-makin’ a racket, and ‘a-turnin’ God’s house into a lil’ ol’ flea market with real bad manners. Jesus was not gonna be ‘a-havin’ it.

And this here was not His first time either. Back in John 2, He done used a whip and did some mighty serious spring cleanin’. Them lil’ messes had done turned into real big messes, and He was ‘a‑standin’ there ‘a-sayin’, “No, sir, you ain’t ‘a-doin’ this! Not in My Father’s house!”

Now before we go ‘a-judgin’ those temple folks, let us take a lil’ ol’ peek at our own hearts. When we first come to Christ, He cleans us up real good. Second Corinthians 5:17 says that we become brand new. But over time, if we ain’t real careful, them old habits, well, they done come ‘a-sneakin’ right back in like mice ‘a-lookin’ for some of that leftover cornbread. They gonna start small, but they don’t stay small very long. Real soon, they are done ‘a-takin’ up space like an ol’ hog in a tiny kitchen.

That’s why we have to be examinin’ ourselves real close like. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13:5 that we’re ‘a-needin’ to be ‘a-testin’ our faith. The psalmist prayed in Psalm 139 for God to search his heart. That there is real spiritual housekeeping, and we’re all ‘a-needin’ it. Sometimes we’re all ‘a-needin’ the Lord to be pointin’ out all of them there dust bunnies we been pretendin’ not to be ‘a-seein’. Sometimes we’re ‘a-needin’ a partner who’s done brave enough to be ‘a-tellin’ us, “Buttercup, that right there is not ‘a-helpin’ your walk with Jesus at all.”

So, be ‘a-askin’ yourself, does your temple need a lil’ cleanin? Maybe you done gone an’ got yourself a habit, a thought, or an attitude has been a‑lurkin’ around like a raccoon with sticky paws. You gotta get to dealin’ with it right now ‘a-fore it grows some real sharp teeth.

Father, be ‘a-openin’ my eyes to be seein’ the messes I have done let pile up. Give me courage to be facin’ ‘em and wisdom to be ‘a-cleanin’ ‘em out. Get to washin’ my heart, renewin’ my mind, and leadin’ me in Your truth. Thank You for Your mercy that don’t run out. In Jesus holy name I pray. Amen.

Well, I figure we done been ‘a-tillin’ up enough o’ that there heart‑soil for today, and it is ‘bout time to let the Lord be ‘a-plantin’ what He wants. Now you go on out there and be ‘a-keepin’ your spiritual house real tidy, buttercup, ‘cause them little messes, they be ‘a-growin’ faster than weeds after a rainstorm, but the Lord will be ‘a-helpin’ you keep things real clean if you’ll just let Him.

With joy,

Gwen