CLEARING THE CLUTTER OF LIFE

2026-11-08 

Pastor Jonathan Falwell 

Ecclesiastes 4:4–6 (CSB) I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to one person’s jealousy of another. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind. 5The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh. 6Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.

1. The Pain in the Process

Vs 4 I saw that all labor and all skillful work is due to one person’s jealousy of another.

Vs 4 (NLT) Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

• Solomon is speaking to the significant focus people have to get more and more simply to have more, that they are working so hard just to be better
• Competition is not sinful of itself, but when “being first” is more important than being honest, there will be trouble.[i] – Warren Weirsbe
• What this speaks to is the continual pursuit of piling things on to the plates of our lives without actually stepping back to appreciate what we already have

Luke 10:38–42 (CSB) While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” 41The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, 42but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”

• The need was out of focus and misplaced. Martha was too stressed out about earthly things. Her life was out of focus, dedicated to fulfilling the world’s expectations rather than Jesus’. Life has one essential need: to hear and obey the Word of God…At the crossroads of decision making, Martha had opted for worldly expectation and social obligation; Mary, for hearing Christ’s Word. Martha needed to change her priorities. When the Word is taught, listen. All else is secondary.[ii] – Trent Butler

2. There’s a difference between finding peace in the process and just being lazy

Vs 5 The fool folds his arms and consumes his own flesh.

John 6:27 (NLT) But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.

3. Leave room for the rest

Vs 6 Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.

• Today, we have created a culture of busy rather than a culture of rest. Even the God of the universe took a break on the 7th day of creation.
• “One 2026 forecast estimates that American Facebook users ages 55 to 64 spend 45 minutes a day on Facebook alone. And worldwide survey data shows that internet users ages 35 to 54 spend more than two hours a day on social media and online video.”[iii]

Matthew 11:28–30 (CSB) Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

• In order to live a life of gratitude (appreciation of what, and who, we have) we must step off the roller coaster of culture

4. Find rest in His presence

Matthew 6:33–34 (CSB) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

• “The roots of our hearts have grown down into things, and we dare not pull up one rootlet lest we die. Things have become necessary to us, a development never originally intended. God’s gifts now take the place of God”[iv]

John 14:27 (CSB)Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

Steps to take:

1. Step back and appreciate where you are

2. Clear the clutter from your day

Social Media

Sin

Schedule

Self

“A man’s god is that for which he lives, for which he is prepared to give his time, his energy, his money, that which stimulates him and rouses him, excites, and enthuses him.” – David Martyn Lloyd-Jones[v]

3. Take an inventory of how you’ve been blessed…and be thankful

[i] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Satisfied, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 56.

[ii] Butler, Trent  Luke, vol. 3, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 174.

[iii] GWI, surveyed Q2 2026, published in October 2026 in DataReportal’s Digital 2027report.

[iv] Tozer, A. W. The Pursuit of God. (Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, Inc., 1948) 22.

[v] Martin Manser, ed. quoting David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Christian Quotations (Martin Manser, 2016).