The Wheelie Bins

I was pouring out my soul to the Lord

1 Sam 1:15

‘Have you put the bins out?’ has been the question on bin-collection day for as long as I can remember. And the answer used to be ‘yes’ or ‘no’ but those days are long gone. These days it’s more likely to be, ‘Which bin? Green, brown or Grey?’

But the principle remains the same: we need to put our household rubbish out regularly, otherwise we end up with a whole lot of unpleasant, smelly and potentially dangerous problems.

The same is true for the inner life of our soul. Rubbish collects in our heart, mind and emotions, the rubbish of unhealthy thoughts, irrational fears and debilitating attitudes towards others. Unless they are regularly removed, their build up can lead to life-limiting problems.

The Bible encourages us to maintain a healthy soul by speaking out about the rubbish that builds up inside us. In anguish, Hannah ‘poured out her soul to the Lord’ (1 Sam 1:15) and Jabez did the same with his pain (1 Chron 4:10). The Lord’s Prayer is in part, confessional. And many Psalms are vocal expressions of ‘putting the rubbish out’ (Ps 42).

How good to know that ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness’ (1 Jn 1:9).

So, don’t let the rubbish build up. Regularly ‘put the bins out’ to the Lord and keep your inner world healthy and sweet-smelling.

And if needed, talk to an appropriate person too, so we can pray for one another and find healing (James 5:16).

‘Have you put the bins out?’

#lifeisaparable