Are you one of the many people who binge-watched Tidying Up by Marie Kondo on Netflix? I am! Years ago I read Marie Kondo’s two books The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and Spark Joy. Marie Kondo approaches decluttering differently than any other method out there. Her approach is also very spiritual. Does her spiritual approach fit into a Biblical worldview? Find out in this blog series: A Christian’s Response to Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.
Take with You into Your Future?
Marie Kondo wants her clients to face the future unburdened with the things of the past.
In addition to asking her clients “does this spark joy?” as they hold each object they own and decide whether or not to keep it, she also asks “is this something you want to take with you into your future?”
The Apostle Paul wanted the same thing for Christians.
In Philippians 3, Paul enumerated the accolades of his past. He used to be puffed up with pride about who he is, the family he was born into, and how he knew all of God’s rules and followed them with his cold, legalistic heart. Once he came to Christ, he let all that go and he pressed on towards the future of knowing God and the power of His resurrection. This is not a once and done thing. It is a journey. Here’s how Paul explains it:
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
Decluttering for Christ
I wonder if the apostle Paul did some physical decluttering when he started his new life in Christ? Did he have any “Best Pharisee of the Year” or “Most Persecutions” awards or trophies that he put out with the trash?
I know some Christians who physically cleaned out when they come to Christ. One man threw out his music records that represented his old life. One woman got rid of her witchcraft books.
Or maybe it’s not a physical decluttering, but a spiritual decluttering. Is there an attitude or belief that you need to leave behind? Pride. Arrogance. Selfishness. Defeatedness.
As you declutter your soul and your space, ask yourself: is this something I want to take into my future?
Also in this series: Should I Greet My Home? Why Does Spark Joy Work?
Love this! Decluttering the soul is just as (if not more) important as decluttering the home. ❤️
Thanks for the feedback, Cailin. Decluttering the soul is a tough thing because it is intangible, but, yes, it is more important!
Neat spin on this! I’m not much on minimalism… Ahem! I have a very Messy Desk! But I do find every now and then a good physical decluttering can be good for the soul, too! Blessings!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Liz. I totally understand the messy desk. Mine is often buried under a mess of papers and books and post-it notes.
This reminds me of Paul Tripp’s book on “The age of opportunity, a biblical guide to parenting teens.
In it he says that the untidy room should be the least of our concerns compared to the heart issues
that the youth is dealing with. This changed my focus in parenting !
Oh, I am so glad you said that! I never heard of that book, but it sounds great. I definitely need to focus on heart stuff for one of my kids right now.