Do You Need Power Washing?

Today I had my lanai and screens power washed.  I watched in amazement  as the screens had that film of mildew, dust and dirt washed off.  What a difference.  This was something I knew that I needed done, but didn’t realize how badly it was needed.

You see I had “reasoned” that I would do it sometime, but not now.  Or that I didn’t want to spend the money.  Or that I didn’t have the time.  Besides, it didn’t look all the bad.  Now I know it did look bad, because I see how nice it looks when cleaned.

I got to thinking.  Isn’t that the way it is with our lives sometimes?  Over the years we develop habits, acquire some attitudes and allow our hearts and minds to become soiled.   Oh, it’s not so bad we reason.  We wouldn’t call it sin.  A little stain on the soul.  A bit of a blemish on the conscience.  A spot on the heart.  We think “I need to work on that.”  One day.  I need to make some changes.  But  I can’t afford to right now.  I ought to give up ____________.  And I will.  When I have time.  And so we let it go.

You see, over time, just like my screens and my deck, the residue gradually builds up.  Not all at once.  But little by little.  Then one day we realize the dirt on the soul has thickened.  It is visible.  It mars our look.  It detracts from our spiritual appearance.  It contaminates the heart.  It pollutes the mind.  Now we see things like anger. Wrath. Malice. Lust. Bitterness. Prejudice. Indifference. The soul that was once clean and clear is now soiled and stained.

What’s the answer?  Power washing!  Yes, we need to power wash the soul.  Remember how clean you felt the day you were baptized?  How pure?  How close to Christ?  Well, that can happen again.  No, not through being re-baptized. But getting back on track. Walking in the light.  And allowing the blood of Jesus to wash you clean.

Listen the words of the beloved John.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  

 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (I John 1:7-10)

Don’t kid yourself.  If you’re not walking in the light and not confessing your sins, you are gradually building a film on your soul.  Pretty soon it will be clouded.  Your vision will be obscured.  And your heart will become soiled. You and I need to walk in the light daily. Confess daily.  Get power washed daily.

I hope I won’t wait so long next time to clean my lanai.  But more importantly I pray that I can keep my heart pure.  My mind clean.  And my soul unsoiled.  Jesus is the great power washer. And He has the cleaning agent.  And there’s plenty to go around.   He calls you to come to Him.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. (Isa 1:18).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman