By Dr. Rebekah McCloud
Momma’s Bibles have been a treasure trove of goodies. I found another poem tucked been the pages of one of them. The poem is titled “Door of My Heart.” It was included in a 1982 publication, but 37 years later, it stills speaks; it spoke to me and it may also speak to you.
The first stanza of the poem reads as follows:
“God knocked at the door of my heart one day
And I looked for a place to hide.
My soul was cluttered and choked with debris
And things were untidy inside.”
Now, I don’t know about you all, but I got some clutter in my life. Sometimes it overwhelming. In fact, I have too much stuff: my stuff, Momma’s stuff, my siblings’ stuff, my kids’ stuff, my grandkids’ stuff, stuff, stuff and more stuff. I’ve been cleaning my house for four months and I still got stuff.
Lately, this stuff has occupied so much of my time, that it takes me away from doing things for the kingdom. I see myself wasting my time, talent, money and resources so that I tend to and maintain the stuff. If I’m honest with myself, in many ways my behavior is like that of the rich man in Luke 12:16-21 who stores up things.
I’ve decided to heed the waning of Luke 12:15, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” I don’t want God to knock and find my life filled with clutter and choked with debris. Amen.
The poem’s second stanza says:
“I needed some time to put matters right
Surprised He would call on me.
My soul needed cleaning from bottom to top
There were things he should not see.”
Are there things in our lives God should not see? Being a Christian does not mean that we are perfect. None is but He. However, we should be reminded of 2 Timothy 2:15 that says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Our Christian walk should be just that simple.
But, we walk in the flesh, in the natural. And as humans, sometimes we allow the flesh to override the spirit. This is not a new thing. Just ask David. After he committed adultery with Bathsheba, he cried out to God for forgiveness. In Psalm 51:10 he said, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” There may come a time that as a result of our actions, we have to ask God the same. Amen. Are there things in our lives God should not see?
The third stanza reads:
“There were tasks neglected, long overdue
Cobwebs to be brushed from the wall,
Rugs to be shaken and windows cleaned up.
I had not expected this call.”
Are we ready for God’s call? Are there things we’ve neglected to do. Have we been the kind of stewards God has called us to be? Have we been mindful of the Great Commission? The Ten Commandments? Have we really made Jesus our choice? Whether the answers are yes or no, Matthew 24:44 reminds us that, “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
1 Peter 3:15 in part says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as LORD. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” And, Luke 12:35 tells us to “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” Amen. Are we ready for God’s call?
Finally, the fourth stanza says:
“I stood up with my hand on the latch of the door
And gazed at the mess in the room.
When I opened the door, my soul blushed to see
God had left on my doorstep—a broom.”
If God left us a broom, what things would we sweep out of our lives? Gossiping, waste, lack, busyness, devices, or SIN: self-inflected nonsense…you name it. Whatever it is, let’s sweep it out. We have to be, got to be, must be, stewards that God can use. Amen!
Joshua 3:5 tells us to “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” And 2 Timothy 2:21 says, “Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” God, please leave us a broom. Amen!