Out in the Pacific Ocean is the biggest garbage dump in the world. It is called the Pacific Trash Vortex or the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. A staggering quantity of trash gets trapped in the spiraling currents of the North Pacific.
The bulk of it is plastic, much no larger than confetti, making the total size difficult to measure. Estimates range from one per cent of the size of Texas to twice the size of the continental United States. Sometimes debris from this patch escapes and washes up on our shores.
Do you ever feel you have something like that swirling around in the ocean of your brain? Memories of all those things we have done or were done to us? Stuff we have watched, looked at, read or listened to? All those things we have said or were said to us?
It all goes into this swirling mess that, for the most part, remains under the surface, contained by our mental currents. But too often, whether we are awake or asleep, stuff pops to the surface and washes up on our mental shores. What can we do?
First, we need to be careful about what we take in. We can’t change our past, but we don’t have to keep repeating it. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV)
Second, seek God’s cleansing. He’s the only one who can clean up the mess. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV)
Mike invites dialogue at [email protected].
