If you’re missing something small, where do you usually look for it? You may have another name for it, but you know what I’m talking about; the drawer filled with miscellaneous items such as: pens and pencils, keys, electronic items, papers, pictures, old phones, broken items that need fixing, and really almost anything that will fit in the drawer. Clearly, taking the time to get rid of some of these items would be the better choice, simply because it’s embarrassing when a guest might mistakenly open a junk drawer. Sometimes we just have to dump the drawer, perhaps more than one, and throw out the stuff. I mean do we really need a pen cap that has no pen?
On a spiritual level, our lives can become filled up with things like resentment, pride, anger, jealousy, greed, and so on. It may be one little thing at first, but subsequent things not dealt with can add to our mental “junk drawer” and before we know it, we can’t close it anymore. Or worse yet, we just explode!
Paul states rather plainly in Ephesians 4 to put away, put off, or get rid of the former or fleshly things, the junk, in order to make room for the new man. Paul knew personally that this practice would allow ample room for the Holy Spirit to move freely. After a long list of things to get rid of inEphesians 4:25-31, we are reminded in verse 32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Practically Speaking: Perhaps your “drawer” needs a little attention. Maybe you have found yourself slamming it shut or leaning on it with all your strength to keep it closed. Paul, the apostle, knew that even the most patient person could only tolerate so much before exploding which is why he then added, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma {Ephesians 5:1-2).”Today, ask the Lord to help you empty out the “drawer(s)” that may have accumulated things that are just taking up unnecessary space and give Him permission to fill it with His sweet fragrance so that everything you do will have the beautiful scent of Christ’s love.