The Refrigerator Door

Matthew 6:30-32 – If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (NIV)

We have a jotting board fixed to the refrigerator door. Each week, we write down products that need to be bought. When we go to the supermarket, we are reminded of the things we want to buy — that is, provided we have remembered to make a note on the board, transfer it to paper, and take it with us. It is a visible aid to memory, or when we forget, it stares back reproachfully, a reminder of the things not bought.

Occasionally, I wipe the board with a little cleaner to return it to its original condition and to remove the smudges of red pen left from past outings that have been hastily erased with a fatigued finger or dry sponge.

Recently, I looked at a list on the door, which I had not wiped clean from the previous week's expedition, and as I gazed, I realised that the list was out of date. It needed to be wiped clean away to start a new list of essentials.

As I wiped clean the board, I was reminded of an earlier time when I let go of all the stuff of life I had been carrying in my mind: anger, frustration, despair, doubt, and fear. As a Christian, I had taken up these idols and allowed them to grow in the place of Jesus, because I was still the judge of what God wanted to do for me.

Now that I have given my list to Jesus, I am no longer enslaved by the items on it. Yes, evil comes and re-writes things on my memory board, but when I come to my senses, I can recognise that the list is no longer valid. It is out of date, and because I trust that my God will provide all my needs, it is then wiped clean, expunged.

Prayer: Lord, we ask that You deliver us from the destructive lies of evil. We declare Your authority to rule over us. We rejoice that You are keen to meet with us through Jesus. Please wipe clean our list of things past which have accumulated and are no longer current. Help us to grow in the love and knowledge of You and Your influence upon our lives today. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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