Take the Garbage to Curb…My nephew was called into the ministry when he was only 9 years old. He was so short he could not see over the podium. My husband ended up purchasing a small stool for him to speak to the congregation. Take the garbage to the curb, is one message that stands out. My nephew explained that we just need to be obedient. He went on to say “It is easy, just do it”. See, his message encouraged us to do what God instructs us to do. He explained how he had been given a simple task to take the garbage to the curb. Instead of doing what his mother asked, he made something out of nothing. As he spoke, I was being convicted.
The Lord showed me myself during that message. He brought back into my spirit the lies I told, one in particular. My friends and I were standing around chatting during our break. They were aware that my husband and I were renting a home that belonged to my employer at the time. They asked how it was going and I shared that we were moving back to my hometown so that we could save for a new home that we were getting built. That was a lie. We moved because we could no longer afford it and there was no new home being built. As my nephew spoke, I felt the weight of sin and it burdened me. I lost my joy and my voice. I was physically ill.
Once home, I prayed. I asked God to forgive me and began to feel a burden to confess the lie to my friends. I decided to do it by letter because there was no way I could do it face-to-face.So, I penned a couple of letters detailing the lie and the reason behind it. My pen dripped with emotion as I poured out my heart to those ladies all the while praying for God’s forgiveness. The next day, I mailed them. I was both ashamed and relieved. A few days later, my friends called and to my surprise they commended me. Yes they were disappointed that I lied but they were amazed that I had the courage to confess.
Friends, God wants us to be truthful in our inner parts (Psalm 51:6) I was deceitful and I paid for it with the loss of my joy and peace, at least for a time. Honesty may not always feel good to your flesh but it is good for your soul. When Jesus called Nathaniel, he said “Here is an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile”. (John 1:47) This indicated that Nathaniel was more than honest but also that he had no intent to deceive and no hypocrisy. In other words, Nathaniel did not believe one thing but say another. For instance, when he first heard of Jesus he stated, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” A very offensive statement yet Jesus saw the purity of heart and Jesus can work with that!
Friends, choose honesty. Lying only makes the situation worse. God wants you to love him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. If you do not, he knows. If you have any deceit in your heart, confess it and ask God to remove it and give you a pure heart and a right spirit. He will do it. Trust him. The bible says “Only the pure in heart shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) I want to see God and I want you to see God. If you need help in this area, join me in this prayer. “Lord Jesus, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.” Now trust Him to do it.
I would love to hear from you. Please share via email at [email protected].
For God’s Glory,
Tahnee
Take the trash to the curb… wow. My God, what a deeply moving and powerful testimony. Isn’t it beautiful how God will place people in our lives to lovingly guide us toward repentance—reminding us that we can be open, transparent, and honest about our mistakes? I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father who sits high, yet looks low, and knows every detail about His children. His grace and mercy, poured out fresh every single day, is beyond measure and beyond compare.