Decluttering the Heart: A Reflection on Slowing Down, Seeing Clearly, and Remaining in God
Some days, life seems to be driving me, rather than the other way around. It takes a concerted effort to slow myself down—my thoughts, my emotions, and the pressing “to-dos” that loom over me like relentless shadows. They call out in desperation, demanding to be checked off my so-called “holy” checklist (sarcasm).
On these types of days, my heart feels like a stranger to me. It’s as though I’ve drifted off to sea, with solid ground feeling like a far-off hope. I’ve become detached, disconnected, and depleted. My heart is forced to fast from the spiritual nutrition it needs: truth, rest, affirmation, and intimacy with God. It becomes vulnerable to chaos, consumed by unresolved thoughts and buried emotions that fester just a little too long, hindering the clarity and confidence that come from living deeply rooted in who God created me to be and in union, intimate relationship with the living God.
God is Spirit, and His Spirit is the source of life itself. Therefore, our lives are vitally dependent on communion with His Spirit—not as a concept, but as a daily connection that sustains us, guides us, and nourishes us from within.
And yet, the beauty of grace is this: God invites us back—not into busyness, but into awareness.
When we quiet ourselves long enough to look inward, God grants us sight—not just physical vision, but spiritual awareness to see what’s happening within, to discern what’s distracting us, and to realign with His voice. This isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about clearing space in the heart for communion and clarity.
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”
– Proverbs 4:23 (AMP)
The heart is not just emotional—it’s central to our spiritual life. What we allow in (and what we neglect to remove) shapes everything. That’s why God urges us to guard it, tend to it, and search it often.
In Ephesians 1:17–18 (AMP), Paul prays:
“[I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him—for we know the Father through the Son.
And [I pray] that the eyes of your heart [the very center and core of your being] may be enlightened [flooded with light by the Holy Spirit], so that you will know and cherish the hope [the divine guarantee, the confident expectation] to which He has called you…”
When we choose to remain, allowing our inner vision to be flooded with His light, shame fades, lies break, and confusion loses its grip.
But to keep this clarity, we must remain connected.
As Jesus said in John 15:4 (NIV):
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.”
When we don’t remain—when we disconnect, even subtly—our vision begins to blur. Our hearts crowd with noise, and we forget who and whose we are. But remaining in Him—abiding in His presence—restores our sight, renews our strength, and allows fruit to flourish from a decluttered, well-tended heart.
To declutter your heart is to come home. It’s to say:
“Lord, I’m making room again. Not just to survive—but to see. To know. To remain.”
May we choose this rhythm daily—not to perform, but to live rooted, aware, and alive in intimate communion with His Spirit.
