Shed Some Stuff!

September 29, 2022

Shed Some Stuff!

Earlier this week, I decided to water some little blue stem grass seed I had planted in a raised flower bed.  As I walked from the raised bed to the water faucet in our backyard, I noticed something new; there was a shed skin from a small bull snake lying in the grass.

I don’t like it much, but we have what my wife calls a “pet” bull snake.  It’s about 10 inches long and does not like us to get too close.  That makes me very happy! 

On the other hand, I don’t like it much when the snake surprises me.  Why can’t the snake just lie in the same spot all the time! 

Well, back to my story.  For a snake to grow, it must occasionally shed its skin.  I wonder if the same is true in our spiritual lives.  We might have to shed some stuff so we can continue to grow in our relationship with Jesus and in our relationships with one another.

We all have a tendency to carry some things through life that get in the way. 

We carry shame and guilt. 

We hold onto heart-ache and broken dreams. 

We cling to hurt and anger. 

We embrace loss and sadness. 

We grip woundedness and addiction. 

We cultch failure and disillusionment.

We clench disappointment and depression.

We might have to shed some stuff so we can continue to grow.  Even if our life is good and blessings are all around, Jesus wants so much more for us.  I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesus. 

In Ephesians 3:16-19 Paul writes; “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Paul knows that we can be “…filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  I don’t know about you, but I have not yet arrived at the place where I can say that “all” of the fullness of God is in me.  In other words, I have stuff to shed before that can happen.

The time to shed some sadness or sin or whatever is holding you down or holding you back is drawing near.  The time to shed some things comes in unexpected ways and in unexpected moments. 

Back to my snake friend.  I had walked across the same area in our back yard earlier in the morning and there was no snake skin in the grass.  The time for shedding comes in God’s time. 

When it comes to shedding the things that get in the way of me growing my love, going deeper in my faith, or my serving more generously, God’s time is often much closer than my own and God’s power is often much greater than I imagine.

The Apostle Paul closes his prayer with one more encouraging word.  In Ephesians 3:20-21 he writes; “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen.”

Jesus is able and eager to help us shed some stuff…especially the stuff that is making our life so much less than what He desires for us.  Jesus can “…do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…”  So, why not ask the Spirit to help you shed some stuff.  When the Spirit begins to do the work in you, your heart will be filled with new delight.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug

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