Recently Richard and I decided to rearrange his office. As we moved a file cabinet we were surprised to find mold that had set in the carpet. Living in Florida, mold is inevitable but this large spot was more resistant and not coming up by simple carpet cleaning.
After contacting our insurance provider and multiple visits with him, we are now still in the process of having our flooring redone through our entire condo; which actually was a pleasant surprise since our carpet had seen better days. However, as with any repair, preparation for the installation is required and tearing up, laying new floor, cleaning and putting our house back in order has been a little tedious.
Living in our small condo for many years, we have acquired items from parents passing, business materials, books and more books, pamphlets, teaching materials and handouts, sentimental trinkets – maybe you can identify. After moving the aforementioned items from room to room to prepare for the installers, we’ve come to realize it’s time to discard various items that are no longer necessary or useful and declutter our home.
While watching the installers repair cracks and work to level the uneven concrete that was hidden beneath our carpet, it dawned on me – “Floors, we are in a season of repairing our floors and foundation.” God has been known to reveal a truth that aligns with our experience. In fact he often uses events we walk through to reveal and pinpoint what he wants to focus on. So looking up floors, especially first floor from Barbie Breathitt’s “A To Z Symbology Dictionary,” which is extremely helpful regarding God’s dream and symbol language, it states:
“First floor: the first floor represents the base needs and function of the body. You are moving out of fleshly desires and motivations. You are at the beginning or foundational entry point of something.”
As I reflected on this definition during a break from decluttering, I turned on the TV and for a few moments viewed Prince Philip’s funeral. I sensed the Lord saying to me: “You are watching an end of an era.” It was very poignant as I thought of the many faithful servants and people passing away recently. Those who have been through World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, European leaders who faced Hitler and the holocaust, US Presidents as well and remarkable spiritual leaders. They witnessed battles, protests, demonstrations throughout the 1900’s. Even with the continued chaos swirling throughout the earth today – I sensed a new era is coming forth and the scepter is being passed to a younger generation.
We are walking into not only a new season but a new era. If you have experienced some challenges, you may be experiencing the discomfort of preparation. There is always preparation for his habitation. There is always preparation for any change. Sorting through and discarding what is no longer necessary and allowing God to rebuild/restructure as well as clean up and level out our foundations may also involve changing some of our belief structures.
1st Corinthians 3:9-10 declares: “You are God’s building…as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation.”
Your house may be a physical picture of what is happening internally with many of us. It can present itself as a difficult season, however if we keep our eyes on him and remind ourselves that this is unto “something” and a new day is coming, we will be better prepared with a cleaned up foundation and fresh flooring to enter into the “New.”
So don’t be afraid to discard unnecessary “clutter” in your life or be afraid to release those things that cause you to hold on to the past. Remember your identity doesn’t come from past works, awards or material gain, it comes from him. As you release the old and simplify, you will be “lighter” and less encumbered to walk into what lies ahead.
“Father, we know that “all things work for good for those called according to your purpose.” Thank you that you are never taken by surprise in events that swirl around us, and you hold us and the world in the palm of your hand. Please expose the uneven flooring and cracks that have appeared over time in our foundations; help us to clean them up, discarding things that are no longer necessary and declutter with joy and expectancy, as you help prepare us for the entry point of something new that is on the way.”
In His Love,
