Cleaning Up

I was reflecting recently on some of the things that were suddenly so important during the days of the Covid-19 epidemic.

Cleaning surfaces, wearing masks, trying to find sanitizer and toilet paper in stores with empty shelves. Breathing clean air and keeping hands clean so we didn’t receive or pass on the virus – we were all so focused, weren’t we?

We often speak of God cleaning us up by removing our defects of character – giving Him permission to expose and remove those things that are hindering our ability to live life fully in the joy of being His sons and daughters. 

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Psalm 51:7-8

We are naturally bent towards living in self-will and we live in a sinful broken world.  We get stained and germed-up every day and need the cleansing and refreshing God makes available.  Just as we “clean as we go” in our homes each day (well, that’s the plan anyway, isn’t it?), so God wants us to allow Him to clean us regularly as we go through our day. 

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:8-9

So today, Loving God, we want to live in truth and purity. We want you to not only remove the sinful actions we are conscious of but the character defects that leave stains on our world as we go about our daily activities. 

Help us to recognize where we leave germs and stains behind us. Give us the willingness to apply Your cleansing blood that You paid such a high price for on the cross to make available to us – that ultimate cleaning solution for our hearts and character.  Amen

So, whether it’s our kitchens or our hearts, let’s be in the cleaning business today.  And we all know that nothing brings a smile more than something freshly cleaned up, right? Have a great day.