Organize with more purpose: a Christ centered perspective on organizing like Marie Kondo
There has been a lot of talk about Marie Kondo and her style of organizing all over the place. I have seen people posting all about their organizing and about why a certain item brings them joy. I decided that it was time that I dug a little deeper into this subject. So I watched a few videos.
Organizing is amazing. Tidying up is great! Marie’s folding techniques can save a ton of room in your drawers! I am all for making more room! Getting rid of extra stuff not only can help others but it also can help give you more time to do what you love but there are a few things in the KonMari Method™ that I think Christians should be aware of when they are organizing. I have some fun ideas that can help take this style of organizing to the next level that I will be sharing with you and I have some ideas on how to organize with a Kingdom perspective. I do want to share a couple concerns about a couple things first I have seen others do when following Marie Kondo.
The first thing that concerned me was that you are told to keep only what brings you joy. Some times we have things in our lives that are there to challenge us... like books that challenge us to live better lives for the Lord. These things don’t always bring us joy but they effect change in our lives that push us to be better. If we get into a pattern of only keeping in our lives what brings us joy and pleasure we will miss out on a lot. My concerns with this are two fold.
1. First joy is not found in things ultimately it is found in our relationship with the LORD. If week seek joy in things that are not eternal we will be left unsatisfied and will ultimately try to find joy in more things. Instead if we look at the Bible we can see just how we can have fullness of joy even in trials. Here are just a couple verses about this.
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Psalm 16:11 NIV
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
2. Some times the things that bring us joy are not things that benefit us or others around us. We can find joy in things that can cause us or others to sin. Part of loving our brother’s and sisters is to be aware of what we have or do that can cause them to stumble and being aware of what can cause us to stumble. Yeshua (Jesus) is very clear on this subject. Kingdom perspective is key!
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.”
Matthew 18:6-9 NIV
The second thing that bothered me about the KonMari Method™ was the thanking of the house and items that bring you joy whether you are keeping the items, donating them, or throwing them away. We have to remember to thank the Lord for our gifts that He has blessed us with. He is the creator of all.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James 1:17 NIV
“You alone are the Lord. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.”
Nehemiah 9:6 NIV
Thanking items is giving honor and power and glory to those items. Basically it is a form of idol worship which gives way to much power to things. Instead of thanking the items I would encourage Christians who are going through and getting rid of things to thank The LORD for the good gifts that He has given! If it is something you are going to donate or give away thank the Lord that that item could go to help someone in need. If it is something you are tossing because it would make someone stumble or is something broken thank The LORD for giving you the wisdom to get rid of it and not hold on to it.
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”
Psalm 9:1-2 NIV
“always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 5:20 NIV
So how can we are Christians tidy up and great rid of things we don’t need with a Kingdom perspective that gives all Glory and Honor to the LORD? I have a few ideas!
Instead of asking if an item brings you joy ask these things:
1. First of all pray and ask The LORD if it is something He wants you to have! Praying and asking the LORD first can give you a lot of insight!
2. Does the item bring honor to The LORD or does it bring honor to something else? If it honors Him and He says go ahead and keep it then keep it. If it is an idol or something that dishonors the LORD get rid of it.
3. If you were sitting with Yeshua (Jesus) would you wear it? If you would be ashamed to wear it in front of Yeshua, then you might want to toss it. If it is just an item that you don’t wear much or at all that is nice donate it!
4. Do you spend more time with the item then you do with spending time with the LORD? If the item detracts from your life, takes up too much time, or occupies more of your time then you have to spend one on one with the LORD then it might be something to get rid of! Of course we will tend to spend lots of time cooking and cleaning which we need to do (Just ask Martha about this) but remember what Yeshua said. Mary made the better choice by sitting at His feet and learning. ““Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”Luke 10:41-42 NIV
5. Could the item cause yourself or someone else to stumble? If an item can cause you to sin, if it is a temptation, if it could provoke jealousy, or if it could cause emotional issue get rid of it! Toss it! “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 NIV
6. Do you really need it or could someone else who has less enjoy it more? If you have many of one type of item think about who might need it or could use it and bless them with it. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 NIV
7. Can you use the item to help others or help yourself in your walk with the LORD? Is the item something you can use to share the Gospel or something that you can use in a hospitality way or is it just taking up space? If it is just taking space donate it. If it can be used to help others, bless others, or to further the Kingdom of The LORD on the earth and you have a spot to put it... keep it! “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NIV
By asking yourself these questions you may find that there is a lot of “Just stuff” sitting around your house that not only takes away time from your relationship with the LORD but it also takes time away from your family and those that the LORD put in your life to minister to. Looking at things from a Kingdom perspective and doing everything as if you were working for the LORD can really make a difference.
Next, instead of thanking items, thank the LORD for what you have! Thank Him for His blessings! Thank Him for the wisdom He has given you in the tidying process! Give Him the Glory! Ask Him to bless those that will receive the items you donate and give to others! Ask Him to help you be a good steward of His good gifts! It is a much more joyful experience when you give the LORD the praise!
If you enjoy organizing and the great organization techniques that is great! I find it fun to make things look nice and tidy! I took the day yesterday to go through my clothing. I found asking the questions above made it easier to go through the items and I found so many things to bless others with that I don’t wear and won’t wear... many with tags still on. They will be such a blessing to those with less and I will be a better steward of what I receive, especially if I think about the questions above before purchasing items!
I hope this blesses you and encourages you in your journey! May you be blessed as you follow the path the LORD has put before you and as you honor Him in all you do!