Drop One Hundred Fifty-Six

Matthew 23:27 - 28

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. So you too, outwardly appear righteous to people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (NASB1995).

As I started to vacuum, I realized that it was not working. There was a sound that sounded like a clog occurred and suction ceased. As the vacuum is a bagless vacuum, I began to take it apart. There was so much debris in the filters, the hose and everywhere. The last time I cleaned the vacuum, I did not look at the hose. This time, I did and found a large mass of debris that was preventing the vacuum from working. I had already washed the filters and waiting for them to dry thoroughly is necessary before reconstructing the vacuum. Vacuuming will wait until tomorrow.

Sometimes we are quick to use our words or actions to “fix” a situation before we allow God to cleanse our hearts and minds from the things the prevent us from being effective tools - like a vacuum that sounds like it is working but is just pushing dirt deeper into the carpet. Your sin is no greater or worse than mine. Jesus is the only one able to cleanse us so that we can be used in service to Him. Just as we need to shower or bathe to cleanse our outer bodies, we need to meditate on The Word to cleanse our hearts and minds so that we can do His will.

Father in Heaven,

You are faithful, loving and kind. You seek to rescue us from the wages of sin but allow us to choose You. There is so much brokenness in this world. Thank You for choosing to cleanse us of all our unrighteousness and replace it with Christ’s righteousness. May we never cease praising and thanking You for saving us from the ultimate consequences of our sin – eternity without You. Help us to exchange our will for Yours.

In the name of Jesus we pray,

AMEN