I recently read an article about the joys of spring cleaning and organizing. Then I looked around my house. At this moment, my craft table is covered with an assortment of items: hiking shoes (that the dog was chewing), dog leash, fabric cutting tools, ironing board, sewing machine, three books of poetry (two lying open), one biography, three calendars (one current), one glove (again, the dog), a Bible, a sewing box, two devotional books a friend gave me, a box of note cards, and a pair of socks my son got for Christmas and abandoned.

As I contemplate bringing order to this particular brand of chaos, I am not filled with joy. In fact, I’m more likely to just walk away and let it be, because honestly, when I want to read a poem, it’s really helpful to have some laid out and ready to go. But then that little wiggly, creepy-crawly uncomfortable feeling of judgement comes worming its way into my brain. You know what I’m talking about…that voice that says you’re obviously a bad person because you have clutter in your house. Because dust is a sign of shiftlessness, right?

I’ve been thinking lately about how we assign moral values to so many weird things in life. Culture tells us that a spotless and well-organized home is the marker of someone with strong moral fiber. It also tells us that if you’re not running around like a chicken with your head cut off, then you obviously are not using your time wisely, and that if your yard is a bit weedy then something is wrong with your overall character.

I could tell you stories of over 20 years in ministry about what this does to one’s soul…but I won’t. Suffice it to say, I have learned that when Paul said to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, I think he meant leaving behind the judgements of the world, too. Instead, Paul says:

And what, pray tell, is that prize? In Philippians, Paul was specifically speaking about the resurrection of the dead–of attaining eternal life in Christ. And how do we do that? Jesus was pretty clear:

It’s interesting to me that so many of the things we assign moral value to aren’t things that Jesus talked about at all. Even when meeting with the woman at the well, who lived under such judgment that she had to draw water during the hottest part of the day, Jesus didn’t condemn. He offered her life instead. Jesus looked at people with compassion. He saw their needs. He saw their hurts. He saw their shortcomings. He saw their mistakes. And he said, “Come to me.”

Jesus didn’t assign moral values to things like organizing, ironing, and gardening. He didn’t look at those who were impoverished and tell them to work harder. He didn’t see children running about and tell their parents to get control, either. He didn’t review someone’s grades and say, “Well, I guess you’re out.” And he certainly didn’t open the door to a vehicle and go, “Bleuhhhhh!! What is wrong with you?!?!” (This, I do every time I get into my son’s car. But in my defense, I found an ossified half-eaten cheeseburger once.)

Instead, the people that Jesus mostly passed judgement on were the religious leaders who had invented so many rules for people to follow that they were bound to make mistakes. He also condemned them for being hypocrites and for not really loving God, as evidenced by their lack of justice and compassion. Jesus didn’t assign moral value to the things of this world, but rather, to the work of God’s kingdom. So why do we insist on assigning moral value to anything other than that?

If Jesus walked into my house and stood before my craft table today, I don’t think he’d purse his lips and give a stern, “Hmmm…” He might pick up a book of poetry and share some thoughts on a favorite verse. Or he might say, “If no one’s wearing those socks, I think I know someone who could use them.” But maybe he’d just smile and say, “I’ve always loved the way your brain works. Now, tell me what you need.”

What would it look like if we stopped assigning moral value to things that don’t really matter to Jesus and, instead, started focusing on the things that did? What would it feel like to let go of feeling judged and not good enough and, instead, to put our time and energy into doing the kingdom building work that Jesus actually called his followers to? What would the world be like if we spent our time and energy seeking justice, proclaiming the Gospel, making disciples, and bringing healing? Can you imagine living in a community where judgement was released and love was embraced? How beautiful and wonderful that would be!

As humans, we’re never going to get it completely right. Fortunately, God knows this and offers grace. And if God offers his grace so freely, who are we to withhold it from others…or even ourselves? Let’s be a people of grace, focused not on what the world values, but on what Jesus values. Love God. Love others. How hard can that be? 😉

Blessings and Peace,

Sara