Throw Them Away

Throw Them Away

I own about a dozen pair of tennis shoes, not counting dedicated sports shoes: golf, basketball, cleats. We’re not even going to get into the boots that I own! Out of the tennis shoes, one maybe two pair are worn. The rest are scattered in closets, the garage, the patio, the shop, all in states of disrepair- soles are torn off and holes in the heel with padding falling out. Despite knowing this, I cannot throw them away! For some reason I think I have a need for them, but all that ends up happening, is they clutter my life and spaces.

I’m sure we all have items we just can’t throw away. I pick at Jayde because she will save two pieces of broccoli or one bite of chicken, place them in containers and into the fridge. She learned from some frugal women, and yes, we do wash our solo cups to reuse them! Why do we hold onto things that are of little or no use, just to eventually throw them out, often without ever being used again?

I suppose part of the problem lies with our habitual nature. We love familiarity and routine, and if we have always saved things, we will continue to. Part of it is anxiety of letting go of things that were once important to us. I often fear throwing away nuts, bolts, and screws, for the off chance that I might be able to utilize them in some future, yet formulated project.

We can get involved with hanging on to fruitless parts of our lives that affect our spirit as well. The Hebrew writer highlights that these sins are a weight that slows us down and a hindrance to our journey with Christ (12:1). God desires that we walk with him in purity, away from the former lives of sin. He wants us to “cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 18:31).

We must throw the old things away. It can be difficult and awkward to start behaving a completely different way, but that is God’s plan for his people. Yes, in a moment of initial repentance, but it’s something we continually pursue in our lives, to constantly throw out the useless, and more diligently pursue the spiritual. Think how much cleaner our homes would be if we went through them and purged anything that wasn’t being used or wasn’t in good condition. How much better would the Church be if we went through our thoughts and actions to do the same.

Jonathan