Taking Out The Trash

What kinds of "rubbish" do you have in your life? What things have you let accumulate in your life - preventing you from seeing Jesus? The Apostle Paul held nothing back when it came to pursuing something "worthwhile."
When he found himself against Jesus and his followers, Paul was 100% devoted to the task of stopping them. When he was following the Jewish faith, Paul was so dedicated that he met all of the rituals and rules for being a good Jewish boy. Paul immersed himself into whatever he was pursuing. Now we meet up with Paul after he has seen Christ. Perhaps you know his story and maybe not - but the short version is that God appeared to Paul (at that time his name was Saul) in the form of a large, bright light. Saul was blinded by the light and had to follow God's instructions to regain his sight. This journey for him would be the epitome of fasting from the world's pleasures and feasting on the love of God.
Our reading for today, April 2nd, was all about trash. The trash that we store up in our lives and in our hearts that prevents us from seeing God. The rubbish that Paul is talking about is the kind of stuff that makes us feel good in the world - power, prestige, money, fame, popularity and all of the things WE do. Paul realized that what God wanted from him first and foremost was to BE in a relationship with him. This has nothing to do with all of our trash.
God loves you no matter how much "rubbish" you run around with. God will always love you in spite of the piles and piles of stuff that you put before him. The call for each of us today is to take out the trash.
As you take out the trash today, remember not to forget the rubbish that is hidden in those dark corners of your life. Don't forget to remove those lies that tell you that all of your actions and all of your accomplishments are worth something.
As you do a little spring cleaning in your heart today may you see the true importance of Christ. May God find his way to the center of your life - not just the top but the center. May you find your strength, power and prestige in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Pastor D's encouraging word for today comes from Paul: No matter how much trash you take out and no matter how helpless you feel, this promise is for you - I can do all things through Christ who IS my strength.