It’s that time of year again.
It’s that time of year when everyone has a little bit of shed fever and starts thinking that spring is just around the corner. Lots of great things happen in spring: the return of birds, new leaves, melting snow, time outdoors, and of course, spring cleaning.
Even if you’re a Type A person who doesn’t take pride in being organized, chances are you enjoy the satisfaction of completing a big clean.
There’s a deep sense of satisfaction in organizing, cleaning, and even downsizing things.
This is not surprising to us. We are told that God is “not a God of disorder, but of peace, as in every assembly of His holy people.”1 Corinthians 14:33). Although this passage specifically refers to the health of the church, the truth that orderly and peaceful things come from God applies to other situations as well.
God created the world in an orderly manner, as described in Genesis. And, as scientists are still discovering, the world is built on ordering principles, from the way living things are classified into genera, species, etc. to the way celestial bodies rotate.
Because we were created in God’s image, we often enjoy things being orderly, clean, and working just like God.
Even though you’re probably aware of the old adage that “cleanliness is next to godliness,” I think few people view spring cleaning as a spiritual activity. But while this phrase generally seems directed at getting kids to tidy up, there’s a deeper truth behind it.
Granted, God isn’t asking you to have a spotless home in order to grow closer to Him or to follow Him wholeheartedly, but the effects of spring cleaning can affect our faith.
Here are some concrete ways a clean and tidy home can actually be beneficial to your relationship with the Lord.
1. Getting organized and organized helps you simplify your life and prioritize what’s really important.
In our busy schedules in the 21st century, we often allow things to distract us from what Jesus called “the good parts” and “the only things worth worrying about.”Luke 10:42). Simplifying your life by downsizing and decluttering may go against the “get, get, get” mentality the world is screaming at us to have, but removing distractions can help you focus more on what really matters.
2. A tidy home increases your chances of entertaining.
Now, let me first say that God can work in a messy space as well as an organized space if He wills. Also, for people with young children, keeping the house clean probably isn’t (and shouldn’t be) a priority. Still, organizing and cleaning the spaces we live in as much as possible can present great opportunities for hospitality, which can lead to other opportunities for service.
First, if your home is clean, you’re more likely to invite others over. But cleaning and organizing the spaces we live in is also a way of serving others and remembering that all the blessings we have are from the Lord and don’t really belong to us. A relaxed, welcoming home environment means a lot to couples with young children, and you can even invite out-of-town friends over for dinner or to stay overnight.
I’ve been a guest in quite a few homes over the years, and I’ve always really appreciated the people who work to keep the homes clean and tidy. It may seem like a small blessing, but it should not be taken lightly, as it can turn your heart in the direction of gratitude.
3. Keeping your home clean and tidy will save you time.
While this may seem like a purely practical concern, it also has spiritual implications. How many times have you wasted rummaging through your disorganized pantry trying to find that box of cereal you want for breakfast? Or how many times have you wasted time rummaging through your dresser drawers to find the right pair of socks when getting ready in the morning? I’m certainly guilty of this type of thing. Even worse, we often use up the time we had planned for a few minutes of Bible reading in the morning or a few minutes of prayer before bed because of stupid little things that could have easily been prevented.
I have found that the cleaner and more organized my home is, the more time I can spend with the Lord and others who need my time. When you have a clean and organized environment, you are more likely to be in the right frame of mind to read your morning devotions or spend time in prayer.
These are just some of the ways we can bring glory to God by striving to be good stewards of what He has given us.
How have you seen how keeping your home clean and tidy benefits your relationship with the Lord?
Veronica Neffinger is the editor of ChristianHeadlines.com.
Publication date: February 25, 2016
