December 9, 2020
Calming the Chaos
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33, NIV).
Friend to Friend
When I was a little girl, one of my favorite things to do was to twirl in the grass. With arms out-stretched, I’d spin around and around until I was silly-dizzy, and then fall to the ground with a giggly heart. It was thrilling, invigorating and a fun, simple way to spend a lazy summer day in the rolling hills of southwestern Pennsylvania.
Now that I’m older, I can’t handle spinning in circles. My body rejects any twisty endeavor. Nausea quickly sets in and reminds me that I’m not a young “spinny-girl” anymore.
Several years ago, while my family and I were at an amusement park, in an effort to gain favor in the eyes of my kids and earn imaginary super mom points I enthusiastically got on a ride that spun in circles. My hero-husband always goes on this type of ride with our children, so I thought, If Brad can do it, then I can do it, right?
Not. So. Much.
I walked up the ramp to the wretched “Wheel of Whirl” naively optimistic and walked down the ramp having made a great big fool of myself. The park employee had to stop the ride to let me off.
Bad decision.
Yucky feelings followed. Instead of becoming super mom I became super sick mom. My center of balance and emotions were completely thrown off leaving my poor family with the disenchanted consequences of my overzealous twirling ambitions.
Just like that day in the amusement park, I constantly find myself thrown off balance from the wheeling whirl of life clutter.
Why?
Simply put: I complicate my life.
If we’re being honest, then I’d have to confess that I'm one of my own biggest obstacles to living as an uncluttered woman. I know I should depend solely on God for direction and strength, but the simple fact is I often don’t.
Most of us would admit that this is the case. Right?
It’s hard to sift through all that is thrown at us each day. Clutter happens and navigating this silly-dizzy world is difficult. Especially during the holiday season.
There are ten bazillion things that vie for our attention and clutter our faith: emotions, materialism, negative thinking, overbooked schedules, doubts, legalism, laziness, self-reliance, sickness, technology, work, our desire to control things, finances, debt, stress, addictions, discontentment, family, and relationships. And I’m just getting started!
The Bible instructs us to direct our silly-dizzy days toward God.
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3, NIV)
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33, NIV)
In His presence, God gives order to both our thoughts and our to-do lists.
Everything changes when we seek God first and commit our plans to Him.
Becoming an uncluttered woman is all about personal contact with Jesus. You and I will experience greater peace and deeper faith as we determine to respond to His constant invitation to come.
Don’t worry … Jesus is no stranger to clutter.
He walked the same earth we do and dealt with the same struggles and problems we deal with. He loved many a cluttered woman while here on earth and many more before and since His ascension. He knows your clutter – all of your complicated stuff – and He invites you to come just the same.
When we position ourselves in the presence of the Peace-giver and ask the Lord to lead and prioritize our heart matters, the uncluttering begins.
And in the uncluttering our chaos is calmed.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Thanks for reminding me that I can always come to You and trade in my exhaustion for Your rejuvenation. Please bring order to my day, calm my heart and establish my priorities according to Your will. Show me how to become an uncluttered woman.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” What are you seeking first? Are there activities, emotions, relationships, or thoughts in your life that need to be committed to the Lord? Spend a few moments in prayer and ask the Lord to establish your plans according to His will.
Since we’ve gone there devotionally, let’s go deeper together by exploring this topic musically. Click here to join me on my blog and watch the music video for Uncluttered. Then share a few thoughts on my wall about your top clutter concerns – or simply write, “I’m done with the clutter!”
More from the Girlfriends
These studies will help you know what God says about tender topics like forgiveness, healing, fear, depression, relationships and hope.
Each inductive study can be done in the comfort of your home and in a timeframe that fits with your personal schedule. Visit www.GwenSmith.net/BibleStudy to learn more.
© 2020 by Gwen Smith. All rights reserved.
Originally published Wednesday, 09 December 2020.
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