A Muddy Mess
October 5, 2015
I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Recently I recalled an event in my life that took place while in the first grade that I think parallels how God sees us when we disobey Him. It was a rainy messy morning as my mom took me to school and cautioned strongly to be careful to not get muddy, as I was wearing one of my “good” dresses. By recess time the rain had stopped and my teacher allowed us to go outside with another warning to stay out of the mud puddles. Of course, somehow I found myself sitting in the mud within just a few minutes. Oh no! My dress, my shoes – well, all my clothes were a muddy mess. Mom was called and when she arrived with clean clothes, I knew she greatly disapproved. She did not pick up her sobbing child to console as I had hoped. Who could blame her – I was covered in filth! But as soon as she cleaned and dressed me, she took me in her arms to comfort me and assure me that all was okay. You see, my Mom still loved me, but there was a break in fellowship while I was dirty. In the same way, when we get dirty by sinning it hinders our fellowship with the Lord. He does not stop loving us, but when we confess our sins and are “cleaned up” our relationship is once again restored. Got any messes you need cleaned up? Take them to God, and thank Him for His faithfulness and forgiveness.
Recently I recalled an event in my life that took place while in the first grade that I think parallels how God sees us when we disobey Him. It was a rainy messy morning as my mom took me to school and cautioned strongly to be careful to not get muddy, as I was wearing one of my “good” dresses. By recess time the rain had stopped and my teacher allowed us to go outside with another warning to stay out of the mud puddles. Of course, somehow I found myself sitting in the mud within just a few minutes. Oh no! My dress, my shoes – well, all my clothes were a muddy mess. Mom was called and when she arrived with clean clothes, I knew she greatly disapproved. She did not pick up her sobbing child to console as I had hoped. Who could blame her – I was covered in filth! But as soon as she cleaned and dressed me, she took me in her arms to comfort me and assure me that all was okay. You see, my Mom still loved me, but there was a break in fellowship while I was dirty. In the same way, when we get dirty by sinning it hinders our fellowship with the Lord. He does not stop loving us, but when we confess our sins and are “cleaned up” our relationship is once again restored. Got any messes you need cleaned up? Take them to God, and thank Him for His faithfulness and forgiveness.
– Jan Niel, Prayer Ministry Director