... That is to say, you reason should not be covered up with worldly affairs, trivial thoughts, and bodily passions but should always be rising above the things of the world as much as it can. If you do this you are bound to discover all the dust, filth, and tiny motes in your house (Why? because he is light); ... In this way you are bound to find Jesus ... It is not a job for an hour or a day but for many days and year with toil and sweat of body and travail of the soul. Walter Hilton The Ladder of PerfectionI have been continuing my struggling with the spiritual discipline of cleaning and it took a new sense of meaning for me today as I read a section from Walter Hilton. He was alluding to Luke 15:8 the woman searching for a lost coin. In this cleaning physically my apartment there are spiritual and emotional struggles as well. I have to face down those things which I have kept hidden, exactly the dust, dirt and detritus of who I am. I have to exercise strong willpower and self-control and in it all finding Jesus and a way to life.
The key problem is all this cleaning seems never ending! My desk cleared and cleaned last week already has a light film of dust again. Perhaps because I'm still moving boxes and books etc around and back and forth out of my bedroom. I'm pleased with myself that I washed my bedding 9 days after getting my new mattress. Almost unheard of in a single male. That's why disciplines are so tough and yet lead to habits and eventually virtues.