Clear the Decks!

I read an interesting article on boundless.org this evening. It was regarding our availablity and readiness to take an active role in the opportunities God throws our way. God desires for us to be prepared for whatever He may have in store for us in the future. Therefore, we cannot allow our life to become 'cluttered' with things or activities that may hinder our availability to be used by Him. I am a neat-freak, so my surroundings are rarely cluttered, but what about the activities, thoughts, and actions throughout my day? Do I allow my life to become cluttered with daily cares and concerns, thus overlooking many opportunities to further the gospel? The term 'clear the decks' is a naval term, used by sailors when they were to prepare for action or battle. When they heard their officers shout 'clear the decks!', they were to toss aside any chairs tables, and other items so that the deck was completely free of any obstacles. This is how we should be prepared for the opportunities that God brings into our lives. Hebrews 12 states "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." In order to ready ourselves to 'run' for God, we must toss aside anything that could hinder us in accomplishing the things Christ desires of us. And this includes the sin that so often clutters our lives. I wish to be ever ready to be used of Him, though I am entirely unworthy.