Keeping it clean
by Tanya Person
Several years ago, we bought a nice new oven. It was so nice and clean! It was also very user-friendly. It was designed to be easy to clean. As this was the first time we had had a new oven, I was excited. We would be able to keep it clean and looking like new without the build-up from previous owners. Cook, wipe up any mess instantly, easy to keep clean!
Some of you may have already figured out where this story is going. You guessed it. Before long, life happened. One time a spill happens that didn’t get wiped up right away. I kept meaning to get in there and clean it thoroughly but somehow it kept getting postponed. And that brings us to today. As I am writing this, I have baking soda paste soaking in parts of my oven. And this is after I already spent a long time working on cleaning it with other methods. After a while, I will take vinegar and try to wipe off the last of the cooked-on grease.
As I was scrubbing, I was thinking, “If only we had been consistent to clean it every time there was a spill!” Then the Lord started showing me how much there is a parallel between this and our spiritual lives.
When we first got saved, many of us had great enthusiasm to always do everything right. If we sinned, we were quick to repent and get right with the Lord. But oftentimes the busy-ness of life creeps in. Maybe we stop noticing the ‘little’ things, or we think it’s not such a big deal. But God warns us in scriptures to take care of the little things before they bring ruin. Song of Solomon 2:15 says, ‘Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!’ And in our main verse for today, the writer of Hebrews says how we must deal with our sins daily so that we don’t become hardened. This reminds me so much of the grease and spills that have become hardened on my oven. Once it gets hard, it is much more difficult to get rid of it.
Today, I am encouraging myself, as well as you. Let us keep ourselves clean before the Lord on a daily basis. Let us allow the Holy Spirit to soften those hard areas in our lives and bring His cleaning.
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times I have been lax in noticing my sins or when I have made excuses or put off what I know You are calling me to do. I want to remain soft and pliable to You. I want to be pure and holy in Your sight. I repent now for the things which You have shown me. (Be specific here!) Help me walk pure and holy in Your sight. Amen.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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