Both high and low among men
find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;
you give them drink from your river of delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light. Psalm 36:7-9
God provides. He provides everything we need. And for some, that can mean a miraculous provision. A bag of groceries magically appears. A box of clothing shows up on someone's doorstep- or a gift card for a clothing store arrives in the mailbox. Sometimes though, that provision is the result of labor and toil. Someone works 50 hours a week to earn enough to put food on the table. While technically, yes, the person doing the working is providing, it is God who provides the job in the first place. His provision is endless. He provides our needs, and many times he provides our wants, because he wants us to be happy and enjoy our life here.
Clutter for us has been the result of not trusting in God's provision. We'll tuck away old clothes or shoes "just in case" we need them again at some point. Our baby things are an excellent example. We've kept them and kept them for two reasons- one being that we didn't know if we were going to need them again. And secondly, we thought if it came down to it, we could always sell some of it in a time of need for a little extra cash. But through God's lesson for us of provision, we've slowly been able to rid ourselves of the clutter. All our old "just in case" stuff has been gone through and donated to people in need. Most of our baby things have been passed on to someone else who will treasure them and use them. All because God provides!! If we were to find ourselves in need of baby things again, God would provide the things we need- or the means to produce them. If we find ourselves in need of old clothing again, God will provide. Even food. Yes, I plan to do some preserving and freezing of food-stuff over the late summer and fall this year, but I have no intention of hoarding it. If I see someone who needs it, I will gladly share what God has blessed us with.
By ridding ourselves of the clutter we've taken a great statement of faith. God will always provide for us. Another thing we've done is opened ourselves up to be his tools. To be the tools of provision for someone else. The verse above states that he is the fountain of life. And it is our job to help bring that fountain to those in need. I just pray that God will keep us focused and in a state of non-clutter.
3 comments:
I think it's neat that this verse says that high and low among men find covering by His wings. God provides for all. As much as we, in our human mind, may become jealous when someone else has more than we do, God has provided that for them and, I think, so often it is provided for them to be able to give and provide for others through God's blessing to them. God truly is for all men and not just the select that man sees as the best. Thank God for that!
Erika, I LOVE your blog here and especially the post about clutter. I just now got your comment on my new blog and would love a link here! I'll add you when I get my links up... soon! :0)
Claire you are so right! In fact, just today Andy went and picked up a kit to assemble a new playset for the kids. We took the old swingset out and were going to put it on the curb for anyone to take when one of our neighbors pulled over to ask about it. I think she was about to cry when I told her we'd love to take it to her backyard for her kids- she's a single Mom, so a swingset is out of the question for them. De-Cluttering can be such a blessing on both ends!
Thanks for dropping by Michelle! I will be certain and get a link up to your site soon. I hope you're enjoying life right now. :-)
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