Throw it in the Fire

Spring is in the air! Can I get a hallelujah! The snow has melted, the sun is out and the temp is rising. Having lived in Florida most of my life it's been awhile since I experienced a true spring. I must admit, I am loving this change.
 
There is one thing I don't care for so much, everything is brown, muddy and dead, but I know that life is ready to blossom just under the surface. Throughout the area there seem to be two different types of yards, those who took care and cleaned up all of the leaves when they fell in the fall and those who didn't. Ah, human nature. No one likes the work involved with fall clean up but even though the snow comes and covers it in a beautiful blanket of white it is still there and will be there when the snow melts.

I think we do this in regards to our character. We think we can ignore sin, cover it up, pretend it's not there, but sooner or later the unveiling will come and the mess is still there. Whether it's pride, greed, gossip, pick your poison, it must be dealt with. These things don't just go away on their own. 

Just like spring is a season of new life and rebirth, I believe that God is longing to breath new life into each one of us, to make us new creatures. We must leave our old ways and sinful nature in the dirt and rise to the fullness of life that He created us for. 

I am at a place in my life where I know that I just don't have time for the things that don't please and glorify God. I've already wasted too much of my life on things that do not matter in the light of eternity. I am trusting my Maker's hands as He molds and shapes me. As He reveals things in my heart that have no place there I am committed to dealing with whatever it is and not justifying or ignoring my sin.

God has called each and every one of us to such amazing things that we can't even comprehend and I am ready to yield to His plans and throw mine in the fire. 
 
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."        Jeremiah 29:11-12

It is definitely time to clean ourselves up, rake up the dead leaves, if you will, start a big fire and throw the decay away. Make room for new life to grow and blossom and see what God can do through a yielded life.