It was 2020, and we were under a mandated shelter-in-place order. Unable to go into town except for emergencies, I made use of the time cleaning house.

One morning, I felt a nudge in my heart from the Lord: “It’s time to clean house.”

Only this time, it wasn’t about dirty dishes in the sink. Instead, I needed to clean out the closets of my heart.

Every day we see more “signs of the times”—evidence that the return of the Lord is getting closer. I want my house to be in order when guests come. How much more important to have my spiritual house in order when the Lord comes?

I don’t think the Lord cares about finding a bit of dust in my physical house on His arrival. I do believe, however, that He will care deeply about the spiritual clutter I allow into my life. Bad habits, bad attitudes, secret sins, idols, affairs of the heart.

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

~1 John 2:28 NLT

One day, Christ will return. Scripture says that no one knows the day or hour, not even Jesus. Only the Father knows the appointed time, but it is getting closer. It might even be today.

Beloved, if the Lord should return today, would you be embarrassed by the things He would discover hidden in your spiritual house? Do you have issues you need to deal with? Do you entertain habits, thoughts, or behaviors, even though they shame you?

Let’s decide to clean our spiritual houses. Let’s sweep out the corners, take out the trash, and be ready for a visitation from the Lord. On that day, when we see Jesus returning in the clouds, may our hearts leap with joy.

Let your clean spiritual house be a sign of your love and trust in the Lord. 

Father, wash me clean again. Remove my affection for my earthly home and replace it with a longing for my eternal home. When you return, may I be prepared, alert, and unashamed, because I have been regularly cleaning house. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2026: Cleaning House: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly: All Rights Reserved.