The end of the year always seems to invite reflection—and for me, it also invites a good, honest purge.
Not just of physical clutter, but of emotional and mental clutter as well.
This month, I’ve been letting go of things that are no longer helpful or life-giving. Some of that looked very practical: releasing books I’ve already digested, lived out, and grown beyond. They served their purpose for a season, and now it was time to bless someone else with them.
But some of the clutter went deeper.
I noticed emotional weight I had picked up along the way—expectations, concerns, even burdens that actually belonged to other people. And as I paid attention, I was reminded of something simple but profound:
Clutter affects our joy.
What Are We Carrying That Isn’t Ours?
As I sat with the Lord, I found myself asking a gentle but important question:
“Jesus, what am I believing or caring about that is no longer mine to carry?”
There are seasons when we are called to help carry one another’s burdens. Scripture is clear about that. But even then, we are never meant to replace Jesus in that role.
He is the ultimate burden-bearer.
At the cross, Jesus took everything—sin, shame, fear, striving, and weight we were never designed to hold alone. And what He offers us in exchange is not exhaustion, but righteousness, peace, and joy.
Light That Outlines the Darkness
Recently, Jesus gently reminded me of His own words:
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”(John 8:12)
Light doesn’t just remove darkness—it reveals where it has been hiding.
As His light shone into my heart, I could see more clearly what needed to be released. Not with shame. Not with force. But with trust.
And then I remembered another promise:
“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink… rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37–38)
Thirst is an invitation.
Clutter is often a signal.
And Jesus is always the source.
The Great Exchange
So I did something simple—but holy.
I handed Jesus everything that felt heavy.
Everything that wasn’t mine to manage.
Everything that had quietly stolen my joy.
And in exchange?
He gave me light.
He gave me refreshment.
He gave me room to breathe again.
As this year comes to a close, perhaps this is an invitation for you too.
Not just to tidy shelves or inboxes—but to ask:
What am I carrying that Jesus already carried for me?
There is joy waiting on the other side of release.
And there is always room to receive more of Him.
Merri Ellen 🙂
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