Sometimes inner cleaning requires getting out the heavy equipment, and doing some deep cleaning. I have things in my life that carry deep roots. Things that have not been easy to get rid of in my relationships.
I grew up in a family where the priority was to put on a good front for anyone outside the family. We were instructed to never tell our secrets, never let anyone know the family wasn’t perfect and never talk poorly about your parents.
On the surface this doesn’t seem so bad, but it easily leads to shame and perfectionism. Then the idea of my family (husband and kids) not being perfect started to cause anxiety, stress, and fear. Except, consciously I knew I had nothing to fear. What my brain knew didn’t stop my body from reacting. It lets me know that there is still work to do. It lets me know that God is still working on me.
“One last shaking, from top to bottom, stem to stern.” The phrase “one last shaking” means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered. 28-29 Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. For God is not an indifferent bystander. (Hebrews 12: 27-29 MSG).
This deep cleaning has been difficult, layered and exhausting. In some ways, power tools and ventilation masks have been necessary. This is a root I don’t want planted in my kids. I want it to stop spreading. These generational roots take a lot of digging to get completely out.
The scripture promises a thorough housecleaning to get rid of all of my historical junk. Identifying this root, examining my behavior and handing over the roots and fear to Jesus has brought change, measurable change. Change, I can see in my everyday life.
It’s easy to think that deep cleaning is too much work. It is easy to think it won’t make a difference. It’s easy to live in the trap of “this is just who I am,” This work often takes the assistance of a professional and yet there are times when God enters in and provides a clean sweep.
Are you ready for a new life? Are you ready to do some deep cleaning? Are there roots in your life that you would like to get rid of for good. Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.