For this same project, I used a retired beach towel under my knees and to keep tools from damaging the new floor (the hammer went rogue and I need to repair some new dents in the walls, but at least the floor looks good). In “adulting” fashion I washed the towel after I was done with it. Turns out it wasn’t the best quality, so everything in that same load of wash was covered in bits of towel. I should also mention that the towel is red, white, and blue, so it looked like Independence Day threw up. So how is it that these towel bits ended up in my bed, on my floors, in the bathroom, and on clothes that weren’t even in that load of wash?

In both cases I thought I was doing the right thing. My intentions were good. I cleaned up after myself. But the remnants kept showing up.

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Remnants

“Remnant”: a remaining group or portion (Merriam-Webster); a small piece or amount of something that is left from a larger original piece or amount (Cambridge Dictionary)

We need to be aware of remnants: What are the impacts of my decisions? Of my habits? What’s hanging around that I thoughts I got rid of?

Let’s look at some of Jesus’ teachings.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” Matthew 12:43-45 ESV

    I used to read this passage and put it in the category of “I have no idea what this means”. But then I heard a sermon that clarified this Scripture for me, and I think about it often: When I get rid of something, I need to fill the space with something else, lest the first thing return to fill the space. I might think that I’ve changed a habit or took a positive turn in a certain area, but unless I fill my time, my thoughts, my priorities with something else, that old habit might return.

• Get rid of: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5 ESV
• Fill with: “Set your minds on things that are above, not things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 ESV
• Fill with: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 ESV

“He also told them a parable: ‘No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.’” Luke 5:36-37 ESV

    Old habits and new habits don’t work well together. Holding on to remnants and merging them with new pieces doesn’t produce anything solid and worthwhile.

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How do we accomplish this?

By God’s power, not my own

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 ESV). If we look to God for help, then we’re filled with trust, faith, and gratitude.

By being aware and reflective     

• What do I consume? “‘How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:11-12 ESV). Leaven is yeast, which in small amount permeates the whole, spreads, and gets into everything. Everything we see and hear can impact us.

• Am I being attacked? “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV). Spiritual battles are real. . . but God’s power is stronger.

• How do I make decisions? “Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure” (Proverbs 4:26 ESV). Do I make decisions based on the good things I’m filled with, or based on remnants of the past?

So let’s all check our pockets for tissues, clean up after ourselves, and be prepared to find remnants weeks later. It’s the steps we take once we find them that matter.