Spiritual Spring Cleaning
Originally sent May 1, 2024
I have a confession. I have become “that guy” in my neighborhood. You know the type; perfectly cut grass, no weeds in the flower beds, and mulch beautifully laid down. I really don’t know how this happened, but perhaps it is the result of apartment life for eight years when I lived in Europe. I missed the feeling of tending plants and watching things grow. So now I am making up for lost time! The truth is that I love the results of a beautiful garden, but I don’t always like the spring clean up. Removing what’s dead, trimming things back, seeding, planting, and then waiting. New growth happens best when we make space for it.
Our faith journey has some similar parallels. I often want the instantaneous results of a fully formed faith without the practices of cultivating and waiting. I want the fruit of the spirit without any of the preparation to helps things grow. Imagine for a few minutes what spiritual spring clean up might look like for you. What is God inviting you to start or stop right now?
Here are a few Pro Tips:
Less is more when it comes to spiritual practices. Consider subtracting three activities and adding just one.
Look for relationships and activities that spark joy. The Psalmist says, “God satisfies our desires with good things…”.
Find something you already enjoy doing and reimagine it as a spiritual habit. If you already love to walk, garden, or knit; how could those become places of prayer?
Remember that God is the one who brings about growth. Be kind to yourself. Rest. Wait. Trust the process.
“The unique voice we owe to the world is one that grows out of our engagement with a transcendent God who shows up in our human lives.”
Mandy Smith
