Carwash

My car had been dirty for so long that when it was washed, waxed, and vacuumed this weekend, it seemed like a new car.  I can't believe I rode around all this time in such a filthy car.  It didn't start out that dirty, but gradually became so over time, beginning with a thin layer of dust that I ignored.  Guess I had become so comfortable in my mess I didn't “see” the dirt anymore.

I'm like that spiritually, too.  It begins with a thinly disguised layer of “dirt” that I don't see because I'm distracted doing Christian things.  I begin feeling good about how I am helping others and serving God, and it becomes easier to ignore the “little bit of dirt”.  Before long I'm so busy that I no longer see my mess as being that dirty.  I'm grateful that God has provided the spiritual carwash for my soul.  He sees the dirt in your life and mine, and has already paid the price of the wash.  All we have to do is recognize our need to be cleaned, and He provides the suds.

PRAYER: Thank You for Your great plan to provide a spiritual carwash for my soul.  Thank You, too, for paying the price of the wash and for opening my eyes to see the dirt that needs to be washed away.

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the fresh and living way that he inaugurated for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in the assurance that faith brings, because we have had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water.  And let us hold unwaveringly to the hope that we confess, for the one who made the promise is trustworthy”, Hebrews 10:19-23 NET.

Today’s devotion is by Cheri Cowell, Asbury Theological Seminary student, known as author and speaker on the deep questions of faith.  Her first book Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life (Beacon Hill) is being called a biblically-sound, no nonsense approach to making God-centered life choices.  For comments or to inquire about her speaking schedule, visit www.DirectionAndDiscernment.com/.