Oh yes, I am doing the Minimalist 30 Day Purge with a friend. I got rid of one thing on the first day of the month. Two things on August 2nd. Three things on August 3rd. So forth and so on. The rules are explained: “Anything goes! Collectables, decorations, kitchenware, electronics, furniture, bedding, clothes, towels, tools. Whether you donate, sell, or trash your excess, every material possession must be out of your house—and out of your life—by midnight each day.
THE CHALLENGE OF “THE PURGE”
“It’s an easy game at first. Anyone can purge a few items, right? But it grows considerably more challenging by week two, when you’re forced to jettison more than a dozen items per day. And it keeps getting more difficult as the month progresses.” (Look up the Minimalists for further instructions)
Today I drove to the drop-off at the local Reuzit Shop and the volunteer who was handling donations looked at me with horror when I explained my plan. Not sure if the horror was from him having to take continued donations from me or horror if he ever had to do it in his own life.
OVER 200 ITEMS HAVE LEFT THE HOUSE
I’m now on day 17. Okay, I’m an over-achiever, had some extra time, and now have worked ahead to day 21. So that means that over 200 items have either left my home or are waiting to make an exit. Some items have been small, such as the pens that no longer work, but then some have been larger, as in that lawn chair which has gathered dust in the storage locker.
WHAT I CLING TO “JUST IN CASE”
It’s amazing when given a great challenge, one can let go of items. I guess I needed a good excuse. This led me to reflect on behaviors in my life. The things I have clung to, “just in case.” Under the excuse of wanting to defend myself, I have clung to anger. Under the premise of desiring to have the last word, I have clung to sarcasm. God wants to empower me to purge the way I do life.
LETTING GO OF BEHAVIORS
In the words of the Apostle Paul: “You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.
THE TRUCKLOAD OF “DON’TS”
“What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.
DON’T BREAK GOD’S HEART
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:20-32)
EACH WORD IS A GIFT
Hmm…. I think God is telling me to get rid of much more than physical items in my home. I can not do this on my own strength. My new mantra has to be “Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.” Amen!
And now for Day 22…..