I was extremely shocked to find out the objects of my worship that dwelt in my wardrobe. As part of our preparation for this workshop we went on a long fast and received instructions from the fast from GOD.  We were reminded that before GOD does a new thing we must first be willing to get rid of the old. Isaiah 43:19 Forget the former things.

I thought I was a giver and I loved the LORD so much that nothing could come between us. I was so sure that I had no regard for things and that things had no control over me. Paul said that All things are lawful but not all things are expedient and all things are lawful but  I will not be brought under the power of any. I was so sure that I was not under the power of anything but the Holy Spirit. Indeed I was  shocked to find idols in my wardrobe?

Don’t judge me just yet, you may be just as guilty as I am.

We were instructed by the Holy Spirit to give out everything in our wardrobe that was over 3 years old and that seemed like a piece of  cake. Of course I will obey GOD. Of course I will do whatever HE tells  me whether I understand or not. Of course I will give HIM my silver and gold, not a mite will I withhold. Oh of course nothing at all compares to the promise I have in HIM.  I soon realized how difficult  it was to let go of mere things, mere things?

I had clothes I hadn’t worn in 5 years, like 6 red shoes, bags I  hadn’t touched in 3 years, jewellery I hadn’t worn in years, jeans I  had outgrown, jackets I could no longer button, perfumes I had  abandoned, etc. I had clothes I hadn’t worn but was still waiting for  an occasion to arise which had not arisen in 3 years.

The struggle started, the struggle was intense, these trousers are  only 2 years and 11 months, they will be 3 years in June, I got this  on my 30th birthday, when did I buy this shoe sef? While I was  struggling I heard clearly that if you are still struggling with  anything then you have to let it go. I am ashamed to admit that I  started trying to hide shoes and my white shirts from GOD. GOD ah ahn,  this is a classic-ten years from now it will still be a correct shirt,  I murmured. But I knew that I couldn’t hide-like David said if I make  my bed in hell, you are there. I really begged GOD about my black and  white bag which I absolutely loved. And GOD said to me, Do you love a  bag more than me, Bolanle?  I said , No GOD, but??? try and be  considerate now, this bag is really nice when I wear it with my white  tunic set, I started making excuses.

I tried all sorts of tactics with GOD and after my long struggle I  came to. I realized that GOD did not ask me to give up my only child  like Abraham, infact HE was blessing me by telling me to let go of the  old so that HE could give me the new.

I am so very very sure that this is the case with most of us. I triple  dare you to try giving out everything in your wardrobe that is at  least 3 years old-clothes, shoes, bags, cosmetics, jewellery,  everything. OK I double dare you. Yours may not be your clothes, it  may be shoes or bags or jewellery. Or like me a half bottle of perfume  that I had for 7 years, I had placed sentimental value on it and was  so sad to have to let it go.

After I finally cleared out all the stuff I found clothes that still  had the labels on them, shoes I had never worn and bags I had never carried. I felt free, light and happy. I felt like I had let go of  some heavy baggage. It was nice to know that finally I was no longer under the control of anything after letting go of my black and white bag. Or so I thought.

I had this tight(meaning correct) black and white suit I had never  worn, I have been busy trying to accessories it for the past 3 years, silver shoes, a white wide brimmed hat. Hoping for an occasion or for  thanksgiving or something or anything.

Now I know what it means to truly give stuff up and I truly know what  it means when the bible says that it is more blessed to give than to  receive because I have seen how the things that were just taking up  space in my life are blessing other people, I gave a trouser suit out  to someone who was going for a job i