Cleaning up our act
Sometimes in the new year, we may consider making changes. I hesitate to label these ponderings as setting “resolutions.” Perhaps a different, workable term could be “cleaning up our act.”
In the summer, I had some major tree trimming done at my parents’ house. It’s less expensive if we clean up the mess from cut or trimmed trees, rather than paying the contractor. I opted to take on clean up duty to save money. Thankfully, I’ve had a lot of help from family and friends.
To clean up after tree cutting we need:
- A recognition of need to complete the task.
- A willingness to commit to the task.
- The perseverance to complete the task.
- The tools (could be equipment), but might be just our hands, feet, and brain.
- A goal–a vision of what the completed job should look like.
- Encouragement and help along the journey.
Does cleaning up our act apply to us?
When we see a need in our own lives–a task that needs doing, a habit we need to change, or an action to improve our lives or the lives of others, these same strategies can be applied.
After reflection, I recognize the need for some clean up in my life.
- More quiet time with God.
- More intentional Bible study.
- Less isolation and more social interaction.
- Reducing sugar intake (sweets are my downfall in an otherwise healthy lifestyle).
- More activities for relaxation and fun.
What about you? Are there some areas in your life where “cleaning up your act” is needed? These actions may be benefit you (i.e. healthy lifestyle changes or developing relationships) or something to help others (new service opportunities).
Will you take the challenge and reflect? Like me, do you need to clean up your act?
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
Self reflection followed by action, now to have the self discipline which is usually my downfall, Thanks for the message.
I think that’s a problem we all have–follow through. The easy part is making a list of what we think we should do. The hard part is doing it! That’s when we call out to God to help us and gather a support group around us to encourage. Let me know if I can be an encourager for you.
I love this post! I have areas in my life where I “need to clean up my act” as well:less sugar and soda, more prayer-filled moments and more time with my husband name a few overgrown places. You certainly compelled me to action.
Your list sounds a lot like mine, Lisa. Praying for you!
Oh, how I had to laugh as I read your serious, heartfelt post this morning Ms. Katherine. I swear you must have been sitting on my shoulder as you wrote this. I’ll share off-line, but almost immediately, my mind drifted back to a poem I penned long ago. Thank you for bringing both conviction and validation to my world today my friend.
Thank you for sending your poem. It made me smile and recognize how well your description fits. Do you have plans to gather your poems and publish? You should–they’re good! Thank you for encouraging us on the journey, both in writing and marketing and in “cleaning up our act”!
There is always something we can do to make ourselves better. Better Bible study with more focus sounds right for me. Thanks, Katherine. Encouraging as always. God bless!
You are right, Nancy. We can always turn to God and ask Him to help us in those actions we need to better serve Him and others. Bible study with more focus is something I need, too. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Cleaning up my act is often pretty literal for me. Keeping things organized is a challenge. And, I am trying some new tricks. But the main thing from this post I found was the encouragement to clean up the spiritual loose ends that can simply clutter our relationship with Christ. I need to keep a clean pathway.
You said it so well, Sylvia, “Clean up the spiritual loose ends that clutter our relationship with Christ.” I need to work on cleaning my pathway, too. Praying for you and your family.
Thank you for the timely reminder, Katherine. Blessings on your writing.
Thank you for your encouragement and good wishes, Diana. Wishing you a blessed week.
I’m cleaning up my act by turning to God first thing every day. I can’t help but believe this will lead me to clean up other areas as well. In fact, it already has.
Good luck with that yard project!
Starting the day with God is the best. I’m still working on that. You’re right–that habit can help us “clean up” and stay on our pathway with Jesus. Wishing you a joyful and blessed week.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could run ourselves through a car wash like the one pictured in your post? The clean up would be super quick and easy wouldn’t it? It takes effort, though, and like you say, it’s something we have to be intentional about. By thinking of it as cleaning up our act rather than a New Year’s resolution, it becomes something we can begin anew every day rather than only at the New Year. Thanks, Katherine.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Terri. I agree–if we could just run ourselves through a car wash and be clean, it would be easier. Thankfully, we’re washed in the blood of Jesus for our salvation, but that leaves us the responsibility of cleaning up our act as far as our thoughts and actions are concerned. But as you say, each day is a new beginning and we have our helper, the Holy Spirit, to guide our steps.
Katherine, reducing sugar and adding more fun activity are the two I need to add. Thank you for the encouragement to “clean up our acts” so that we can serve God better this year.
Jeannie, we’re definitely kindred spirits in the sugar battle and the need for more fun. I’m praying for us to make some progress in that area. Wishing you joy and blessings on the journey, my friend.
Great message Katherine. I know I need to clean up my prayer life some and listening better. Thanks for sharing.
I expect most of us need to pray to become better listeners. Good listening is a kind and compassionate trait that is so helpful to others. Praying for that for both of us. Wishing you joy and blessings!
I couldn’t agree more. I have many of those same things you named to work on!
Praying for you, Kathy, as you work toward habits that will bring you “good” sleep and better health. Wishing you a blessed and happy 2023.
Thanks for the challenge, Katherine. Iron sharpens iron!
Yes! And with God’s help, we can do it! Hoping you have happy, healthy, and blessed 2023, Annie.
Great food for thought! I need to add more intentional Bible study and social interaction to my year. Thank you, Katherine!
I need to work on those same two actions as well, LuAnn. I just prayed for both of us to grow in these areas in 2023. Wishing you a healthy, happy, and blessed 2023.
One thing I have found with chronic illness is that you get so focused on healing you let other things go that are helpful to healing. I have been trying to get all of that back in check.
I’d never considered that perspective, Jen. Thank you for sharing from personal experience. Your insight brings an important new dimension to seeking God’s intervention for healing. Continuing to pray for you.