In preparation for our move, we have been going through “things” deciding what to keep and what to discard. It is a monumental task, and at times, it is overwhelming. How did we accumulate so much stuff in the 14 years we have been at Sewickley? My dilemma is figuring out what is worth keeping and moving to the new home and what is not worth keeping. As I look at these “things,” I must decide what goes into the trash, what it I no longer need but is worth donating, and what are those “things” I can’t possibly do without.

I have discovered this journey to be an emotional journey; as I sort and go through this “stuff,” I find a smile on my face and in my heart. There are times when I find a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. All of it has given me pause to reflect.

The Season of Lent is much the same. Christians describe the forty-day Lenten season itself as a journey in the wilderness. Lent represents a time of searching for God amidst the brokenness of life.

Just as people carefully prepare for big events in their personal lives—a wedding, the birth of a child, a graduation, retirement, a move to a new home—Lent invites people of faith to make their hearts ready to remember Jesus’ death, commemorate his sacrifice, and celebrate his resurrection.

These forty days, (not including Sundays) invite us to journey inward and to take inventory. And as we do so, we wonder how could we have collected so much stuff? Some of it is good and certainly worth keeping. We also must own the fact that we need to dispose of some trash we have gathered.

As you make this Lenten journey and travel inward, what are those things that you have been holding onto that are trash and a stumbling block with your relationship with the Holy One?

Lent is often a time in which people give something up. The best thing we can give up is the trash that pollutes our souls. I came across the following list of things (trash) to give up…

With that said, I want to offer up 20 things you might consider giving up this Lent. And these are things to give up not just for Lent, but for the rest of your life.

• Guilt – I am loved by Jesus, and he has forgiven my sins. Today is a new day, and the past is behind.

• Fear – God is on my side. In him, I am more than a conqueror. (see Romans 8)

• The need to please everyone – I can’t please everyone anyway. There is only one I need to strive to please.

• Envy – I am blessed. My value is not found in my possessions, but in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

• Impatience – God’s timing is the perfect timing.

• Sense of entitlement – The world does not owe me anything. God does not owe me anything. I live in humility and grace.

• Bitterness and Resentment – The only person I am hurting by holding onto these is myself.

• Blame – I am not going to pass the buck. I will take responsibility for my actions.

• Gossip and Negativity – I will put the best construction on everything when it comes to other people. I will also minimize my contact with people who are negative and toxic and bring other people down.

• Comparison – I have my own unique contribution to make, and there is no one else like me.

• Fear of failure – You don’t succeed without experiencing failure. Just make sure you fail forward.

• A spirit of poverty – Believe with God that there is always more than enough and never a lack.

• Feelings of unworthiness – You are fearfully and wonderfully made by your creator. (see Psalm 139)

• Doubt – Believe God has a plan for you that is beyond anything you could imagine. The future is brighter than you could ever realize.

• Self-pity – God comforts us in our sorrow so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

• Retirement – As long as you are still breathing, you are here for a reason. You have a purpose to influence others for Christ. That does not come to an end until the day we die.

• Excuses – A wise man once said, if you need an excuse, any excuse will do.

• Lack of counsel – Wise decisions are rarely made in a vacuum.

• Pride – Blessed are the humble.

• Worry – God is in control, and worrying will not help.

God has so much more in store for you. But so many of these things above are holding you back from walking in the full destiny he has laid out for you. Today is a new day.

So there you have it. What else might you add to the list?

May your Lent be blessed by taking out the trash!

Blessings,
Pastor Russel

Photo by Robert S