The task ahead...

of me today is cleaning off the disaster area that is my desk. Yet another reason for readers to rejoice in my continuing inability to post a picture. The shock and horror of it would cause you to crawl back under your covers. Which is exactly what I wanted to do this morning, just thinking about the monumental task. Not only is the aspect depressing, but I am tempted to procrastinate yet one more day. Nagging also at my impetus is the thought that if I'd only been consistent through the year, then I wouldn't have the tremendous piles of scrap detritus that surround what should be a work area.

Competing with my goals for effective desk cleaning is the long-haired cat who likes the piles of paper strewn about for they make a soft bed for him. He reacts quite negatively to being removed from his comfort, not afraid to mewl his displeasure, punctuated with a nip or two. His hair is intertwined among the papers so that every step forward reminds me of how long I've left the task to increase in size. Trying to extricate the useless from the useful is only complicated by his penchant to continually jump on top of the desk so he can lay on top of all of it to impede progress. He is my nemesis today.

The progress of sanctification in a Christian's life is not unlike my desk top. Thinking of how one is ever going to pull up her bootstraps and tuck in her bra strap to move ahead to the sorting between the useless and useful habits, behaviors, and thoughts is enough to send one shrieking back to the bed of complacency and denial. The nemesis is not a long-haired cat, but is a roaring lion type who not only seeks to impede progress but actively works to destroy it. Intertwined amongst every step towards Christ, one is reminded by the enemy of past failures and current deficiencies that actually contribute to the weakness of flesh and faltering of spirit. Nagging thoughts of one's lack of consistency and diligent study add to the pile of emotional detritus.

My desk is only a task. My life is Christ's. No illustration can go far enough to communicate that what Christ has begun in me will be completed to perfect fulfillment. His word is faithful beyond my actions. By profession I submit myself to Him. By confession I walk towards Him in obedience. By covenant He fulfills all of His promises.

Move off, cat! This desk is going to be cleaned today, though my life will take until His eternity.

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24