Too Many Boots in the Boot (trunk)

Uploaded to GodTube a few weeks ago was a video by the ever inspiring TD Jakes. The title: Junk in the Trunk.

note: the search engine within GodTube.com seems to be at times demonically possessed. Try this link:
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=79baa9d1ddb53c556bc4

Although it’s an illustration for a series designed for engaged couples, it’s an appropriate thought for just about any situation in life. The car may look all shiny and new on the outside, yet full of all kinds of trash and unexpected items in the trunk. I know some preachers say they can determine your character by looking at your calendar and checkbook register (if anyone still uses one of those), but perhaps you can also tell just as much about someone by the junk in the trunk of their car, or the back of their desk drawer, or the rarely visited recesses of their handbag.

(Bishop Jakes lives in Dallas, where everyone has a car (or two). This is not the case in some parts of the states. While you may have never had a trunk to stash your stuff in, you’ve got something that needs cleaning out. Outer compartment of a backpack, that “catch-all” kitchen drawer, top shelf of hall closet, in/out box at work, bottom of a toolbox, etc, etc.)

Why do we allow that stuff to collect. Laziness (we don’t want to take the effort), comfort (it’s good stuff and it makes us feel good to keep it), hyper-zealousness (we might need that thingymebob some day) are a few reasons. And just as those reasons apply to the physical items in the physical trunk they also apply to the emotional items kept tucked away in our emotional trunk. Bitterness, hurt, and emotional scars can be just as trashy to carry as empty soda cans, worn out lawn chairs, and wallpaper sample books you were supposed to return 2 months ago.

(By the way, did you read about the Montana woman arrested yesterday when they found her dead toddler’s baby in her trunk? He had apparently been there a while!)

A few months ago, when everyone was talking about how to increase their gas mileage, we were all reminded to stop carrying around excess weight in our vehicles (the same advice the American Heart Association offers for increasing the MPG of our bodies – lose weight!). It’s also good advice for increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of our spiritual journey. Lose the junk.

Let the Giver of Grace help you clean it out.