My house is craziness right now. There is an order to all the chaos, but unless you’re in my brain, for the most part it’s not going to make sense. We’re in the process of moving overseas in less than a month (16 days but who’s counting?) and my house reflects that. This week we removed some of our larger furniture pieces, so our piles look even more random than before. A big “thank you” to my husband for packing boxes and even numbering them—a huge relief while this wife sorted through clothes for the hundredth time!
While I’ve done my best to organize the drama, I also realize it’ll all get done and the chaos will soon end. (That is, until we unpack and settle in the Big Island, which is obviously another story ;) ) As I’ve sorted through clothes, signed my name on more visa documents than it takes to purchase a home, and packed and packed, I’m reminded of how beautiful a mess can be.
A week ago, I got to attend two baptismal services here in Tulsa. I remember many times standing in my home church on Wednesday nights and watching people take a plunge to identify with Christ. It is always a powerful moment when watching someone go in and come up out of the water. They are making a declaration that they are new in Him and that their sins are washed away. It’s powerful! There is an incredible messy life that they’re leaving and the water symbolically is cleansing them and making them new.
My life has been and will continue to be a mess at times, but I love the beauty of Jesus coming in and cleaning up my mess. He sorts through all of my “things” and the process at times can look like chaos, but it’s the way He makes all things new. He knows how to salvage my emotions and heart when they seem to be all over the place. He knows how to make my explosions of messy sin into redemptive testimonies for His glory. He alone knows how to unlock those hidden places within me. He spoke, “let there be light” into darkness and emptiness and light was formed. He breathed life into man and we came alive. If there is hope for stability and soundness in our lives, it’s in Him.
Witnessing the baptisms was a timely reminder in this transition time. My house full of great messes is a great opportunity to remind myself of how wonderful Jesus is of making beauty of out of our mess. Instead of the mess aggravating me, it is a lovely reminder that entices me to follow Him and love Him. AND of course to remind me to rest in this glorious process of packing ;)