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I’ve always been fascinated by the tv show Hoarders on A&E. People on the show Hoarders hoard significant amounts of things or trash in their homes. Typically they show these homes overflowing with stuff that they struggle to throw out, so instead they choose to live their life surrounded by walls of junk. They bring in professional organizers and psychologists to help the hoarders with unpacking their homes and their issues.

Besides feeling the need to clean out my junk drawers in my kitchen after watching the show, what fascinates me about the show is that the hoarding is usually connected with a past tragedy like a loss of a loved one and the response of coping with the tragedy is to build up literal walls of junk around them and their heart. The professionals and family members help the individual heal and move forward by getting rid of the mess that surrounds them.

Some may watch the show in disgust or are appalled by how someone could live in a home that is filled to the brim with items and are paralyzed to throw anything away to make room for a place that is accessible not only for others, but even for themselves. I often wonder if this is what it looks like to God when He looks into our lives; does he see us as houses filled to the brim as we are paralyzed to give our talents, time, and resources?

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Learning to love God and learning to love others is learning how to freely give of our time, talents, and resources to those in need, instead of hoarding them to surround oneself with their own personal gain. When we give to others we make room for a place of love that is accessible not only for others, but even for ourselves.

If you are holding on to your talents, time, and resources is there something that you need to heal from in order to give it to God. Is it learning to giving up control in your life or trusting in God’s plan or provision? Find those around you that can help you unpack how you can use your resources to give and do good.

God gave His best to us by giving His only son Jesus Christ incarnate to come live on earth and be a living sacrifice for us so that we can have a relationship with our Creator. God gave His best to us, do we?

Is there anything in your life that you are hoarding and not willing to give over to God or share with others?