Don’t you just love it when your house is clean? I mean EVERYTHING is done. Even the laundry! There’s a sense of satisfaction that wells up in you. Ahh. I can relax now. Mission accomplished!
Before you started cleaning, things were in disarray. Dust hovered in the corners and sweeping was a must. Most people would’ve walked into your house and not noticed anything wrong. But you knew what was pushed under the bed or shoved in a closet. It needed a deep cleaning. You might have fooled the neighbors, but you knew work had to be done.
That’s exactly how God is with us. First Corinthians tells us that our body is the temple of The Holy Spirit. So if you’ve stepped over that line of faith and made Jesus your Lord, His very Spirit makes a home in you. On our outer exterior, everything “looks” ok. But hiding in the deep crevices of our soul, dust bunnies are gathering. Things are often out of place. We’re out of focus on major issues and a good scrubbing would be welcomed. Only we can’t clean this mess up. It’s overwhelming and it’s not our house. It’s the Lord’s temple. The bad attitudes, the unforgiveness that weighs us down, and the wrong choices that are starting to form perspectives that don’t line up with God’s Word have started to take over. Fortunately, all we have to do to get this fresh start that we so desperately need is ask!
In Psalms 51:10 we find David asking for just that. A lifting of the weight. A lighter, airy step is commissioned. “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” David requests this of the only One who holds the power to remove the stains. He admits that he’s gotten the “house” dirty and he wants it clean, comfortable and inviting again. Jesus immediately to the rescue! He wants to clean up, but like a cleaning service, He has to be invited into the mess.
Messes are made of so many different kinds. The whole broken world we live in is a mess. It’s not what God had planned, but given the state of imperfect people, that’s what we have. It just doesn’t seem to feel right. God put a longing in our hearts for a perfect world with Him and here we are waiting for that day to come. It’s kind of like a layover at the airport. You know a wonderful destination awaits, but right now, we wait. People who are waiting often get impatient and the world has things that compete for your attention. Peter tells us in chapter 2 of 1 Peter, “Dear friends I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.” We learn two things here. Number one – we’re temporary residents here. We’re not home yet. That’s why things don’t feel quite right. Number two – this world is enticing you into situations that ultimately make messes!
So the big question is, how do we make less messes? The Bible teaches us to delight ourselves in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our hearts. To delight in something is to find peace and fulfillment in that object. Delighting in the Lord will ultimately align your will to His. When and if you do this, He will give you the desires that automatically please Him and a sense of peace. There will be a lot less “mess” in your life and much more fulfillment. What a blessing! And it all started with just simply asking Him to do what only He can do.
Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband, Robby and cat, Harold.