Cleaning Up

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. John 2:13-22

Sometimes we don't realize the familiar and comfortable is getting in our way. Recently we had the belongings we had in storage brought to us. We have moved several times since 2011 and are finally in a permanent situation. It was wonderful to uncover old treasures. It is also perplexing as we find things we wonder why we ever decided to pack them up. Our spiritual lives can be like that too. We can clutter and hang onto things that are tripping us up.

Jesus arrives at the temple for a very solemn time and is outraged by the market and hubbub. For all gathered this is just business as usual. They find this mess normal and some enjoy making money off the needs of others. We can get so wrapped up in the day to day, we don't see the bigger picture, the people around us seeking a holy place, a space for healing and prayer. We often make others stumble as well as ourselves. We forget to look at what obstacles we place in the way of faith and life.

Today I ask God to help me clean up and make room for transformation of heart and soul. May all that we do provide others with holy places and healing moments.