BIG Trash Pick UP

This past Saturday was Big Trash pick up day. My wife, Kat, and I worked for several hours hauling our stuff to the curb. We watched as the truck pulled up at 7:30am and the two men picked up the items we had put out for them. One item was a large hotel dresser which weighed about 300 pounds or at least it seemed that heavy when I pushed it out to the curb.

The two men struggled picking it up but they got it off the ground and into the back of the trash truck and then the compacting door came down on the dresser and it snapped as if it were a twig. At that very moment I thought of this post.

You and I have garbage, BIG Trash, old baggage, that is cluttering up our lives. It might not weigh 300 pounds but sometimes when we are facing a situation similar to what caused the trash in the first place it seems like we have 300 pounds sitting on our shoulders.

Our trash, garbage, and old baggage will keep us from doing the things that God would have us do. It will paralize us from moving towards God. It will keep us from having the relationships that will benefit us. It will keep us from our desires and dreams.

Matthew 11: 28 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, wants to pull His trash truck up to your life and take your BIG trash away. All you have to do is ask Him to haul it away.

What is holding you back?

I watched a movie on the Hallmark channel tonight that is stirring many old memories and feelings. The movie is called "Front of Class". The following video is of the real Brad Cohen. What do you have in your life that is keeping you from moving forward in your dream?



All of us have something in our life that is kind of like a giant that stands over you and keeps you from moving forward. It could be something a teacher did to you, it could be your own attitude or behavior, it could be a sin, it could be a life-controlling habit or it could be some type of handicap.

If you are struggling with something that is keeping you in a box or worse in a pit then I encourage you to find someone who will take the time to call, write or email you an encouraging word. You do not have to stay in bondage to a life-controlling habit or to something that someone said to or about you in your past. You can move forward but you need the help of friends and most of all from God.

If you do not have a friend then leave me a comment and I will pray for you. You can email me at lnclark1950@gmail.com. Together you, a friend and God can move forward overcoming any giant you face.

For years I feared stepping outside of the box I had allowed others to place me in. I believed it when they told me I could only achieve a certain level of success. I listened to them when they told me I was not talented enough or smart enough to be anything but average. I believed the lies that I developed about being too shy to speak in public and that I could never be a leader.

As Casting Crowns sang I lacked the faith to step out of the boat onto the crashing waves. I believed it when voices would tell me, "you will never win"!

For years my giants of insecurity, abandonment, lack of self-worth laughed at me.

Then one day I began to believe that the Creator God actually loved me and I began to listen to His Holy Spirit as He told me "do not be afraid" and "your life will be for my glory". I began to believe a different story.

Realistically I will not be a Rick Warren, a Bruce Wilkinson or a Mark Warner. I will not write and give great sermons like Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards or Billy Sunday. But I can be the best Larry Clark that I can be. I can discover and refine my gifts and my talents and use them to make the passions and dreams God has given me come alive.

What giant are you facing today? I encourage you to lay it down at Jesus feet and let Him carry it. Discover your gifts, talents, passions and dreams and then use them to bring glory to God.

Facing Giants at ChristianBooks.com
Casting Crowns at ChristianBooks.com