DECEMBER TO DETOX
It’s December and we are counting down to the end of the year and to Christmas! I love the smell of Christmas; the decorations, the gifts, the carols, the outings. Christmas is also the holiday I most look forward to and try to prolong for as long as I can. Last year I decided that going forward, my Christmas will begin on December 1 and last up till the first week in January. By implication my Christmas decorations (complete with Christmas carols playing in the background) went up on the first of December.
This is also one of two times in the year when I shut down. During my December shut down time I pull back, take stock, reappraise life and prepare for the coming year. Part of this transition plan is to intentionally engage with God on matters past, present and future. Over the years I have come to realise that to listen to God, one needs to quieten the other voices around. It is necessary to reduce the volume of the phone, the television, activities, even the voice of people. That way, we are better able to hear Him, even if He chooses to speak in ‘a still small voice’.
As the year draws to a close, I am also embarking on a declutter exercise. No room in my home will be spared. The clothes, shoes, bags, household appliances and stuff that have not been used in a while need to go. The books that my children have outgrown are always good material to give for the Rainbow Book Club annual Christmas book donation to support libraries in indigent communities. I am sure that the stuff gathering dust and crowding up my home would bring ‘glad tidings of great joy’ to someone somewhere, this Christmas.
In addition to the decluttering, I plan a personal detoxification. A fast is a good way to get a physical detox. I sure can do with the many benefits of fasting which include stimulating the development of stem cells, taking stress off the digestive system, boosting the immune system, and of course weight loss. It’s a good opportunity to also throw in some ‘me’ time – like pampering myself with a full day at the spa: pedicure, manicure, facials, body scrub, massage, you name it.
Aside from getting the impurities out of my body, I intend to rid my spirit of toxics. A book club I belong to is currently reading The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian. The book has 31 chapters and we round off this week with the last 2. Chapter 30 talks about being free from the past and chapter 31 is about making ready for the future. How timely both topics are as we round off the old year and prepare for the new.
As we read chapter 30 and fasted in November, I felt the Lord was highlighting to me the need to forgive. This came as a bit of a surprise because I would not consider forgiveness something I struggle with. But over the years I have come to recognise God’s voice, and above all, I have learnt how important it is to obey. So, as the Lord kept bringing a particular person to my attention regarding unforgiveness, I began to pray for that individual and to ask the Lord if there is anything else I need to do.
Unforgiveness and offense are toxic to our soul and we cannot afford to tolerate them. There are many other things that constitute spiritual baggage. I believe as we take the time to ask the Lord, He would show us the stuff in our lives that we need to get rid of.
Then there is digital detox. Last weekend we organised a Colours of Life Youth Seminar titled The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Cyber Space. Part of what we came to terms with at that meeting was the power the internet wields over its users. While the internet has undeniable good use, its negative impact can be overwhelming. Dwelling in cyberspace has been linked to emotional distress, self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression and all manner of deviant behaviours. While we decongest our minds and refresh against the new year, it would be a great idea to withdraw from that space, even if for a short time. I can imagine that this is easier said than done for most of us because we simply cannot do without our smart phones. It is what we reach out for first thing in the morning and last thing at night, attaining the status of an idol.
But this is the very reason why we need to practice keeping away from it every now and then.
Clearing the clutter in our body, soul and spirits prepares us for a more fulfilling and purposeful life as 2 Timothy 2:21 says:
‘So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.’
Let’s make this month our December to Detox!
Unforgiveness and offense are toxic to our soul and we cannot afford to tolerate them. There are many other things that constitute spiritual baggage. I believe as we take the time to ask the Lord, He would show us the stuff in our lives that we need to get rid of.