"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then
face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have
been fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12 ESV)
My oven has a triple-glazed oven door. Over time,
the weekly routine of fish and chips, cakes, and various roasts accumulates
residue on the inside of the glass door. Whilst we may easily clean the
outside of the glass daily with a quick wipe, eventually, the innermost
glass requires a more determined effort to remove the hard, baked-on crud.
It needs the use of heavy-duty caustic cleaners to soak and soften, and the
application of elbow grease to aid the removal of the deep-seated residue
stuck fast. Then, we can see through the glass again. Since Caroline is a
bit splash-happy, it is safer if I use the chemicals. Besides, I'm the man
with the muscles, or at least I used to be!
Like the muck on the oven door, life happens. Some
sins get stuck to us but are only superficial, being removed with a quick
prayer for forgiveness. Others accumulate over time, are more deep-seated
and become hard-baked. They require a more concerted effort to permit Jesus
access into the innermost recesses of our being, maybe to find the time for
quiet reflection. If is too hard for us maybe we can seek the advice and
prayer support of trusted friends around us? Those who can to stand with us,
as we get to the heart of the issue with Jesus?
If we ignore Jesus' desire to clean up, we reject
the Love and Grace of God to make us spotless. It is only as we allow the
deep-clean quickening of the Holy Spirit we receive, hear and know the Love
God more sincerely.
We are created for communion with God and with
others, in His image. It is a two-way thing. The muck of life untreated
influences how we perceive and do life: how we receive, or give, to and from
others. Sin, hard-baked also diminishes, obscures, or removes from our
hearts an acceptance of the overwhelming Love of God has for us.
True, one day we will see Jesus face to face, but
in the interim if we ask Him, Jesus will change who we are. He wants to aid
us in this change - when we allow God into the mucky parts as we walk with
Him.
When God cleans up, more Light comes in; and more
light is evident in us, because His Love and Peace will naturally spill out
through what we do.
PRAYER: LORD, hear our prayer for those of us
needing more than a quick prayer today. We ask for Your forgiveness and
restoration to bring us back into communion with You. As we wait on You we
rejoice in the Grace You give. We thank You for a willingness to set us free
from our crud as we lay down our stuff of life, in Jesus' name, amen.
Rod Marshall
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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