The Clean Out, Is it Expired?
Recently, I was cleaning out the refrigerator. Like the clean out where you throw out things that has expired over a year ago. Literally, a year ago. It’s so amazing how we accumulate so many different items that just sit in the refrigerator and expire. You open it, use a few times and then completely forget about it. Some items hadn’t been opened at all and/or possibly used a few times.
As I was getting rid of things, I saw dates from 2019!!
At the end of the escapade, my fridge was empty and I realized that we really didn’t have anything substantial. The fridge was bare. This made me think of the things in our lives that we keep or attempt to keep past its expiration date. We tend to not clear out our lives because we have gotten comfortable with what the “appeared” fullness looks like and even feels like. Whether it be old thoughts, old ways of doing things, even friendships and relationships, we become accustomed to living with the old because we simply haven’t taken an evaluation of what needs to replaced or updated to receive the new.
How many times have you looked at the old jar of Mayo, with two tablespoons of product left? We know it needs to be thrown out but we have gotten use to it being there. We open the refrigerator for months just looking at the jar...unused and simply taking up space. What is simply taking up space in your life?
It Can Make You Sick
Expired things have no use and if consumed, in most cases, will make you sick! Ever open that old container and just the smell of it made you nauseous. If not consumed, even the very presence of some things will make you sick.
There are some areas that I want to shed light on that can use a good clean out, if you will. The refrigerator is just a small concept but there are so much more meaningful, important, detrimental areas of our lives that can use a clean out.
Our Thoughts & Ways
A lot of our bad decisions and choices are repeated because we haven’t cleaned out our minds. We are still trying to operate on an old system. Much like a computer system that requires updates to function and operate effectively and efficiently, we need updates as well.
Imagine trying to operate right NOW on Windows 12 in 2021. Are trying to operate your iPhone now with old iOS software? Unlikely. In either outcome the device is operating slowly and it’s inevitable that it will completely crash, and important files and documents will be lost. This is what happens when we attempt to grow and make better, wiser decisions with an old, expired system...we crash.
If we’re going to do this thing, we have got to renew our minds and operate with the mind of Christ. Let this mind be in you , which was also in Christ. Philippians 2:5 This requires our intentionality. This just doesn’t happen. Its built and developed as you seek God. All our decisions and choices are derived from a thought. Check your thoughts. Is it from God or the enemy? We have to be able to make the distinction; if its a lie from the enemy, we can CAST IT DOWN!
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Ephesians 4:23
Our Relationships
This area is second only because in order for us evaluate our relationships and connections, we must have a renewed mind an updated way of thinking.
‘Relationshipping’ can be incredibly challenging at times. We are emotional beings first and often we make emotion-led decisions. This does not just pertain to romantic relationships but friendships as well. Often we can overlook the expiration dates of relationships because they’re comfortable, they’re familiar.
Yesterday I saw an Instagram post that eluded to the idea that those around us should be able lift or heads back up and adjust our footing into greatness. A healthy and thriving relationship highlights not just your accomplishments but your struggles too. Only to help you readjust and realign to the best version of who you are purposed to be.
You should be able to be your best genuine self in a relationship of any type. You shouldn’t have to hide parts of you that seem ugly. Because, a person that loves you as you are, will help love those parts until the glory of the Lord radiates in those areas.
Let’s Evaluate
We must become better at evaluating our friendships. Not for what someone can do for us but what we all are capable and able to do for one another. It should be reciprocal. If you find that a relationship isn’t feeding you good healthy nourishment, peace, and genuine agape love, its time to reevaluate that relationship. It’s possible that it has sat past its expiration date.
This doesn’t mean that you have to cut people off and act as if they never existing (whelp, this may depend on the situation, the extent of the possible damage, and the best way for you to move forward to protect your peace and space), it simple means that you may have to navigate differently, reassess the price this relationship is costing and make a God led decision. Does the relationship stink like old, spoiled food that has outstayed it’s welcome? Is it expired?
Or it still some good but we have forgotten about it and just need to use it so that it doesn’t go bad. Don’t forget about the things, situations and people that truly matters. Sometimes, it’s not others, we have allowed important things to sit still in the back because we keep reaching for what’s convenient and easy.
This week, let’s look in our refrigerators to see what’s there. Get rid of the things that has expired and move those things to the front that you may have forgotten about!
