Hunger Mountain Christian Assembly

What's in Your Room?

"The Room"

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was the one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

Titles ranged from the mundane to outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At."  Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived.  Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my own signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I Have Watched," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of the shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented. When I came to the file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.  An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them! In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.  But as I took one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it was as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self- pitying sigh, And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came.

I began to weep; Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, for the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.  No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally, He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then, He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file card and one by one, began to sign His Name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His Name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, and so alive. The Name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back; He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on the door. There were still cards to be written.

Introduction: Very few things I receive in the mail affect me as much as this story did. It matters not whether it is true or not. It brings us to the truth that God knows everything we have done and there will come a time when we will have to give an account. It is the end of the year and it helps if we review our year or life and enter the New Year without this years or a lifetime of baggage.  My message is a simple question "What's in Your Room?"

What's in your room? What are the names on your files?

 1. Names I've called people in jest or anger.
 2. Lies I have told.
 3. Things I have stolen.
 4. People I haven't forgiven.
 5. Addictions I have failed to deal with.
 6. People I have failed to love.
 7. Discord I have sown.
 8. Situations I did not use integrity.
 9. Sins that I think are too small to matter except to God.
 10. Not living in the truth of God's Word.

Hopefully, we have good files:

 1. Actions that show I love God.
 2. Actions that show I love people.
 3. People I have witnessed to.
 4. People I have led to the Lord.
 5. People that I've helped.
 6. Giving or doing without any expectation of something in return.
 7. Showing myself faithful.

Conclusion: Take a stroll around your room, what do you see? Are you ashamed? What we need to remember is that "all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." This is not a message of condemnation but of encouragement. I pray that this affects you like it did me. It caused me to examine myself and understand the hurt that I have caused Jesus; The pain in His face when He looked at me just as He did with Peter. Not with condemnation but with love, pity, and mercy. His blood can cover all our cards and wash away all our sins. All we need to do is understand what we have done and do; to repent and turn to Jesus. This is His Christmas present to you and me so that we don't enter the New Year burdened by our sin and lostness.

Close: John 3:16-17 (NLT)

¹⁶ “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
¹⁷ God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.