Ryan and I marked items off our list as the clock ticked down to his parents' arrival.

Dust the furniture, check.
Clean the floors, check.
Change the sheets, check.
Scrub the bathrooms, check; and so on until no task remained.

A few days into their stay, I noticed myself carefully redirecting them away from a few areas. I prayed they wouldn’t randomly open a closet door or wander into the basement. 

They would never have critiqued the mess but I was acutely aware of those cluttered spaces that didn’t get much attention.

The scene reminded me of a book I read in my youth entitled, My Heart, Christ’s Home, by Robert Boyd Munger. In the first chapter, Munger begins by referencing Paul’s message to the Ephesians in chapter three about Christ dwelling in our hearts through faith.

He then encourages the reader to imagine Jesus going room to room while examining the overhaul required in those spaces.

Our thoughts, attitudes, and decisions all wrapped in Christ’s control, subject to our submission.

What I’ve noticed after a few decades into this journey, is that many of us treat our relationship with Christ much like the manner described above. We tidy the areas visible to others, while our “closets” remain cluttered.

Our actions reflect the following message… “Lord, you are welcome here but this part of my life is off limits.

Don’t open the secret places of my mind that are overflowing with anxiety or impure motives.

Please steer clear of my hypocrisy and judgment. 

I’ll tidy up for you in my Sunday best, but the other six days of the week are mine to fill.”

Perhaps we fear that if we allow Christ complete access, shame and guilt may twist knots within our spirit.  

So we continue to wrestle for control of the unseen places.

God’s design for establishing relationship with His creation wasn’t meant to be segmented. 

He wants us entirely - every nook and cranny of our being. It’s only when we choose to release control over those hidden areas that the Holy Spirit’s work can begin.

The life-altering work that produces complete freedom.

We read about the covenant made with the Israelites in Ezekiel. God forecasts the arrival of grace in which the heart of stone becomes flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26)

At that time the spirit of God would dwell within, making the ways of the Father a believer’s first desire.

Jesus’ redeeming sacrifice on the cross fulfills that covenant, creating the path to freedom for us.

It is no longer a matter of striving to maintain perfection. Rather it is a road marked with surrender.

Our surrender allows Jesus access to the cluttered spaces, where we are continually conformed into His likeness. 

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
(2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NASB)

This transformation process of becoming one with Christ in body, mind, and spirit is our testimony. A gospel, in the flesh, to a world in need of God’s grace.

Perhaps you're reading this knowing there are areas of your life that need attention. Do your thoughts, actions, and motives align with what you profess to believe?

Would you join me in granting Jesus access to the clutter that hinders our relationship with Him? 

Heavenly Father,
Cover me with your Holy Spirit and draw me to deeper faith. According to Your grace, strengthen, and renew me in Christ. Transform me daily and allow me to become one with you in body, mind, and spirit.

Amen