Dust Bunnies

The bathroom remodel was finally complete. I’m thankful for the newly renovated room; however, as is always the case with remodeling projects, construction dust lay everywhere. It really is amazing how that dust can permeate every part of the house. Now it was time to deep clean and get my home back in order.

As I cleaned each room, including ceiling fans, window blinds, sills and baseboards, I had to admit: not all dirt could be blamed on the construction. Many other projects received top

billing on my to-do list and cleaning was certainly not in the top ten. Now cleaning catapulted up the list and demanded my full attention. The construction provided the impetus to do what should have been done much sooner.

As I reflected on the accumulation of dust that had crept in over time, I pondered my spiritual walk. Had I allowed other priorities to creep in and accumulate unwanted debris in my life? As I did a spiritual “spring cleaning”, I noticed areas that needed a good dust broom and mop.

Proverbs 4:23 commands, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” In studying the word diligence, a review of Strong’s Concordance shows a Hebrew word used for the phrase with all diligence means “a place of confinement, or the act of guarding, or guard post.” The Merriam-Webster definition includes, “steady, earnest, and energetic effort; persevering application.” In today’s vernacular: we are to protect our heart at all costs; to never let our guard down.

II Timothy 2:15 also uses the word diligent, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The Greek word for diligent emphasizes exerting one’s self. In other words, it takes work to follow these commands. However, the benefits far outweigh the effort.

In reviewing these scriptures, the realization hit: I could do better. Diligence certainly couldn’t be ascribed to my house cleaning. My time in God’s Word moved closer to that word, but not quite to the level of never letting my guard down. The accumulation of tired days, busy schedules or distractions allowed my guard to slide. Just as my house cleaning demonstrated, if I consistently do a little each day, the monumental task of a deep cleaning won’t be necessary.

Take a few moments to reflect today. Have any dust bunnies or cobwebs formed in your life that need a good cleaning? Perhaps a small hill of dust that has been swept under the rug is now tripping you up. A little time in God’s Word each day strengthens you and keeps the accumulation of debris from forming so quickly. Enjoy time with your Savior today. You will be refreshed.