Taking the trash out!

It amazes me how much trash just 3 of us have in this house. It seems like just as one bag is carried out to the trash bin, another bag is almost full. The thing about trash is that nobody ever wants to take it out. In fact, it is the least admired chore in our house. Many times we try to cram that extra piece of paper in the trash bag before taking it out.

Sometimes we have to take out the trash even before the bag is full because it becomes smelly and gross. Nobody has to remind us to do it, all we have to do is walk in the house and by the odor we know it is time to dispose of the trash.

Can you imagine what it would be like if we just ignored that smell and just let the trash overflow? If we never took it out, we would have a nasty mess on our hands. The same is true in our spiritual life...

"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."  James 1:21

James reminds us that the trash that we allow in our lives almost always leaves a stench and the only way to clean it up is to remove it. Often times though, we don't recognize the smell until the trash is overflowing in our lives. Much like the trash can, we just keep piling more and more trash in, trying to cram as much as possible in before taking it out (or removing it).

This is why it is so important to do what James also says in verse 21..."humbly accept the Word planted in you, which saves you." Knowing God's Word and applying it in our lives is like the air freshener that we spray sometimes around the trash can. Once the garbage is out, a new, fresh aroma can be smelt.

And what a fragrance His Spirit leaves!

Take a moment to reflect on your life today and ask God to reveal any trash that may be needing to be taken out. Ask Him to help clean it up before it overflows and becomes a unbearable stink.