Spring Cleaning with a Passion
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NKJV)
This week, I’ve been sandwiched between two spring-cleaning whirlwinds.
My husband and I traveled to Indiana to help our beloved daughter fix up her “new” 1965 house. We replaced door hinges, cleaned out gutters, sawed down a small tree, planted a plumcot tree, prepped a veggie garden, cleaned out trash, and set out some pavers for a simple fire pit…all in one day. Whew! But we’re very proud of our daughter’s efforts to clean things up. With pretty paint colors and personal touches, she has turned the house into a cute little home to entertain friends.
On the opposite generational side, we’re helping my mother-in-law this weekend downsize into new living quarters. Getting her new place move-in ready has involved lots of phone calls, paperwork, carloads back and forth, decisions about decluttering, and dustcloths. It’s a big task for her and her family, but she’s been excited about her new space and is already making new friends.
We all need good houses…houses need stuff…stuff needs cleaning. It’s been an endless cycle ever since Adam and Eve left the garden.
Our hearts are little homes, too. When we first give our lives to Jesus, we’re eager to get rid of the nasty things that separate us from a close relationship with Him. As time goes by, though, we let pet indulgences take root until they take over, much like the unwanted tree in our daughter’s backyard. It would have been a lot easier to remove it as a small twig!
Easter and our reflection of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross inspire a new longing in us for the refreshment of spring cleaning. We observe that our cozy winter ways have clogged our hearts and made them unpresentable for welcoming Jesus inside.
So we grab a mop and attempt to dust things off. But we’re often unwilling to address the big issues—impulsive anger, lack of love, addictions, self-centeredness, or petty jealousies. And we find we’re truly powerless to fix things by ourselves.
Deep cleaning can only come through the sovereign direction of Jesus Christ. He knocks on the doors of our heart homes, walks inside, and rolls up His sleeves. By His power, He exposes our secret sins. By His grace, He forgives us for harboring them. By His love, He purifies us and covers us with His righteousness.
Friend, are you willing to welcome the King of the universe into the filthiness of your heart? Can you grasp there is nothing you can do by yourself to clean things up for Him? Are you ready to hand the broom and dustpan completely over to Him?
I’ll admit that it’s painful for me. I don’t like being forced to let go of my priorities in order to fulfill His. Who enjoys an old-fashioned scrubbing behind the ears??
But oh, what a blessing to be made clean and whole. As King David said, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7 NKJV). David understood that he needed God’s cleaning touch and was willing to let Him do the work.
What’s interesting about the hyssop herb is that it’s used today for medicinal purposes and in beauty treatments. Think about that—God hints to us in His word that His purposes are for healing and making our heart homes beautiful!
As you approach Easter, take time to invite God into your mess. Open up the closets where you’ve stuffed your pride. Put your hand in His, to raise the windows and release you from the stale air of selfishness.
Welcome His cleansing power this Easter, and find your passion in welcoming His gracious presence in your heart!
Jesus Christ, You are the One who has captured my heart by Your great love. Please send Your Holy Spirit to purge me of the sins that set up barriers between us. Let me see Your power afresh this season and experience Your victory over my failures. Pardon my offenses, and heal me from evil thoughts. May I trust in You and Your purposes as You make everything beautiful in Your timing. In Your name, Amen.
Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom.
© Copyright 2025 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #springcleaning #easter #lent #downsize
