Thursday, March 13th, 2025
Philippians 3:7-8, MSG
The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him.
Reflection - Pastor Caroline Bashore, First United Church of Christ, Royersford and Linfield United Church of Christ
During the Christmas season, I read somewhere that the average American household contains 300,000 items and 1 out of 10 Americans rents offsite storage! These statistics of course are averages and don’t relate to everyone, but it is no wonder that our society has become a bit obsessed with decluttering and minimalism.
Paul had his own version of decluttering—one that didn’t involve color-coded storage bins or viral hacks to making more space in our closets.
Paul took stock of everything he had once prided himself on—his status, his accomplishments, his résumé of religious excellence—and tossed it in the garbage. Not gently placed in a donation bin. Not stored in the attic for “just in case.” Nope. He used stronger language: “dog dung.” That’s right—Paul isn’t talking about a tidy little trash bag; he’s talking about the stuff you double-bag before running it to the curb.
Lent is a season of letting go, of assessing what we cling to for worth and security. Prestige? Productivity? Popularity? If we’re honest, most of what we chase after won’t make the cut in God’s version of spring cleaning. Compared to knowing Christ, all of it is just... well, dog dung.
So what’s cluttering your soul? What are you hauling around that needs to go? Lent invites us to do some spiritual housecleaning—not to make room for more stuff, but to make space for Christ.
And trust me—He’s the only thing worth keeping.
Prayer: God of grace, help us to release what weighs us down, to clear out the clutter of our hearts, and to make space for what truly matters—knowing and being known by you. Amen.
Comments