I have a few days off this week and have been using the time to do a few things that really need to be done.  I cleaned the refrigerator and this afternoon I started cleaning out my closet.  It may take a little while to do because I have a tendency to hang on to things I don’t need and just store them in my closet.  Truth is there are a lot of clothes that are in pretty good shape but they will either never fit again or I just won’t get around to wearing them.  I don’t think my powder blue tuxedo jacket is coming back into style.  And if it did, it wouldn’t fit anyway…and not because I’ve been lifting weights.  At any rate, sometime in the next few days, I am starting off this New Year by making a run to Goodwill to get rid of all those things I no longer need.

I find it is a good practice to do some cleaning out of our closets and in our lives in general from time to time.  We all need to intentionally get rid of those things that God no longer wants us to hold onto.  There may be old habits, old grudges, old ways and even some old, inappropriate relationships that we need to let go of.  There may be any number of things in our lives that God no longer wants us to hold on to.  I think God would love to see all of us start this New Year by cleaning out our closets.  As I was thinking about these things, I reflected on Isaiah 43:18 – 19. God, speaking through the prophet Isaiah says

Isaiah 43:18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

I like the reminder from our Lord, that we don’t have to dwell on the past. I like the reminder that sometimes we have to let go of old things so that He can do a new thing in our lives.  It’s like Marta told me the other day, “If you get rid of those old clothes in your closet, you’ll have some room for some new clothes.”  Smart woman that wife of mine.  I’m glad she keeps me around.  Well, I guess I better get back to the closet; I have some old things I need to get rid of and I need to make room for something new.  May you have a very blessed and happy New Year.