Our official spring cleaning may be coming to an end, but the real joy is just beginning. Now we get to move forward and live.
It sounds easy in black and white, but it may feel anything but easy.
Looking deep within is good for us. It’s good to see and reveal what’s been inside under an armor of dust. But it’s also easy to stay stuck there. This navel-gazing introspection can be a black hole because the truth is we’re never done. There’s always going to be more.
God never wants us to stay stuck. No matter how safe it feels.
We know our hearts. We understand our stuff, our issues, our broken. Moving beyond those places is moving beyond comfort zones and that can feel hard.
God never said it would be easy. He did promise He'd be with us. Share on XYou may feel hesitant to move forward into this new place, your foot hovering above that new, untrodden path. Maybe you’re excited, eager to bust out of the gate into this new place.
Either way there are a few things to remember moving forward.
You’re never going to be done.
I know, I know. This feels like a real downer. But God’s working in us until we take our last breath. We might as well embrace the idea.
You don’t have to go it alone.
God’s there. He promises that. But He also puts people in our path to help us move forward in these new places. Sometimes we just need to ask. That means being real and giving people permission to walk with you.
Confession isn’t old school.
This goes right along with the last two. Confession is for our good, not for our punishment. This is another life long process, so we should get used to it. And it’s another thing we’re called to do with people. He tells us to confess our sins to one another for healing (James 5:16) not condemnation. Making this part of our life will only help us walk further in that healing.
Confession is for our good, not for our punishment. Share on XForgiveness works two ways.
Another life long pursuit for our own good, forgiveness, by design, brings freedom. Learning to forgive others will only help us walk in that freedom. The one I find even harder is forgiving myself. In this process we can receive God’s grace in all the fullness He intended. Forgive well and often, even if it means forgiving 490 times.
Faith often feels like a leap.
Finding the ability to move forward even when we don’t understand or can’t see the outcome is the most beautiful illustration of faith. Sometimes faith means moving and doing something big. Sometimes faith means staying still. Only you and God know what it means for you today. But let me tell you, the leap is always worth it.
It’s time to move, friend. Move forward with the windows of your heart thrown wide open and the sun streaming in! You are loved, always.
Father, thank You for walking with me through this process.
Thank You for helping me open my heart fully to You and take care of things that had been collecting dust for far too long. I am so grateful for Your presence all along.
Help me walk forward in a new freedom today. Amen.
This is the final post in the series, Spring Cleaning for Your Heart. Read more here!
Connecting with the amazing writers below:
Literacy Musing Mondays, Purposeful Faith, Tea & Word Tuesday, Abounding Grace, Trekking Thru, Tell His Story, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, Tune in Thursday, Dance with Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Grace & Truth, Heart Encouragement, InstaEncouragements
Thoughts provoked. Thanks, Becky! This also made me think of how, as much as I love checking something off a list, I also love that something comes “next” in the list. We are never done- and that’s a good thing!
Thank you! Spring cleaning my heart is something I need to get in the habit of doing. I have a lot of cobwebs in there 🙂
As grateful as I am that we don’t have to go it alone, I’m actually just as thankful that we are “never done” – and that He keeps working. Desiring more and desiring better. I don’t have to ever settle for “good enough”!!
These are great truths, Rebecca. As I’m about to step into an uncomfortable thing this afternoon, I appreciate these reminders that I’m not alone!
Moving forward, windows wide open, sun streaming in! Thank you for putting beautiful words together than express what is in my heart. Your series has been so encouraging, thank you.
Thanks Christine! I’m so glad it blessed you!