Spring Cleaning | Psalm 32

Welcome to Real Life. Coronavirus has us disinfecting every surface. But maybe we need to clean below the surface.

The key to spring cleaning is to be ruthless! 

Throw out anything and everything you never use. 

(Or that may be incriminating. Burn, if necessary.) 

–Josie Brown[1]

Spring is awakening! On a recent Saturday, glorious sun rays burst through my window shattering the gray, dreary spell of winter. The sunshine warmed and delighted me. But it also illuminated the dirt and dust that hides on cloudy days. I was suddenly overcome by an urge to spring clean. (This happens rarely. So, when it hits, I go with it.)

Later, the nightly news declared, “Spring cleaning is good for our mental health!” When our houses are less cluttered, clean, and organized we feel better, less stressed, and less depressed.[2] I was living the truth of it. My house was clean. My heart was happy!

Spring is awakening! With it, comes Lent. Traditionally, this is a season of repentance in preparation for Easter. Before we celebrate Easter Sunday's resurrection, we grieve Good Friday's death. Our forgiveness, our redemption, our reconciliation with God was purchased with blood. We stand among the jeering crowd. We feel the whip sting, the unbearable heaviness of a wood beam on open wounds, the bite of nails piercing flesh, the humiliation of nakedness, the taste of salty tears. We experience the sorrow of rejection as the Father turns his face away.

My sin. Jesus bled for me. As we contemplate the cross, the glorious rays of Christ’s light illuminate the hidden dirt and dust in our souls. The ugliness we cover, ignore, and excuse. The mess we shove to the back of the closet—selfishness, self-righteousness, immoral thoughts, words, and deeds. We hope no one will see. But Jesus sees.

As I contemplate the cross, I no longer want to hide my mess. I want to be rid of it.

Give me an urge to clean closets, Lord. Shine your light in me. Reveal any wickedness my clouded soul is hiding. Give me the strength and desire to turn away from it and towards you.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.[3]

My sin. Your blood paid for my filth. I want to be clean, Lord. I need to be clean. I cannot wash the walls of my soul. But you can. I am sorry that I… 

Please forgive me. Cleanse me. Fill me with your Spirit, your truth, your love.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

My soul is clean. My heart is happy. Nothing is hidden. No guilt remains. I am not perfect, but I am forgiven. Lord, I am yours!

Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure![4] 

Spring cleaning may improve our mental health, but soul cleaning improves our spiritual health. Contemplate the cross. And your heart will be ready for Easter! 

Take it further:

• Now that God has forgiven me, is there someone I need to forgive (Matthew 6:12)? Do I need to seek someone's forgiveness (Matthew 5:24)?
• Psalm 32 New Living Translation (NLT) A psalm of David.

Oh, what joy for those

whose disobedience is forgiven,

whose sin is put out of sight!

Yes, what joy for those

whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, 

whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

When I refused to confess my sin,

my body wasted away,

and I groaned all day long.

Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.

My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude 

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you

and stopped trying to hide my guilt.

I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”

And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude 

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,

that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

For you are my hiding place;

you protect me from trouble.

You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude 

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

I will advise you and watch over you.

Do not be like a senseless horse or mule

that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” 

Many sorrows come to the wicked,

but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!

Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! 

Crocuses Image By Peggi Tustan
Three Crosses IMAGE: http://www.freebibleimages.org/photos/jesus-dies/

[1] http://www.wiseoldsayings.com/spring-cleaning-quotes/#ixzz6GaDLeGmB

[2] https://www.parsleyhealth.com/blog/health-benefits-spring-cleaning

[3] “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” by Isaac Watts 

[4] Psalm 32:11