I like for my house to be clean. I don’t exactly enjoy cleaning it, but I like it clean. It feels good to come home from somewhere and everything is in its place, the sheets are fresh and the faucets are shiny. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels that way. The last thing I want is for someone to “stop by” and things are in a mess. I feel as though it’s a reflection on me. Even though they probably don’t care, I do. I don’t want them thinking that I don’t properly care for my things. There’s a good chance I’m overthinking this, but it bothers me. I want to take care of my home. I want to take care of the blessings God has given me. 

Okay. Follow me here. I’m going to attempt to connect the dots. “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” ‭‭(Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬) This hit me one day. We’re created in God’s image. He likes things clean, therefore, we do! He’s certainly not as concerned about your kitchen as He is your heart, though. “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬) Jesus wants to clean you up! We instinctively get our need to clean from Him! And when things in your life aren’t clean, it just doesn’t feel right. It’s a deeper level than a sink full of dirty dishes, but the implication is the same. There’s work to be done in order for peace to reside. 

King David understood this need for cleanliness. “How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT)‬‬ He knew, even before Jesus came, that sin is messy and can take control of you. He’s pleading to God to take away the chains that sin had bound him up with. He knew freedom only came through being cleansed of the mess. Isn’t this so clever of The Lord? He’s hardwired us to want things clean!

Teenagers often give pushback to their parents when being told to clean up their rooms. It’s not that they probably like the “disaster”, they just don’t want to put in the effort it takes to make it better. In the same way, humans get complacent sometimes with our sin. We tell ourselves that it’s really not that big of a deal and when we’re ready to deal with it, we will. The problem is, it doesn’t actually work that way. Sin usually hooks you and then drags you further than you intended to go. At some point, sin is controlling you. You are not the master of it. Then you have a mess, my friend. You can’t clean it up. Oh how you want it to be clean, but you’re not able to attack such a disaster. This is where the Grace of God is so beautiful. He is willing and able to do what you absolutely cannot do yourself. “Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.”  ‭‭(Hebrews‬ ‭9‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬) He does it for you! It’s your mess, but He cleans it up. He lives to help us through our messes. What a friend! What a God! He does this to secure our relationship with Him and He gets all the glory. 

I don’t even make a claim to try to understand why this all encompassing God chooses to want to be in relationship with us. I just know that He is love and in Him are hidden all the wonders of the world. We really don’t have anything to offer except ourselves. Plain and simple. And oh how we come to Him with the messiness of life. But oh how He came to us as the spotless lamb!

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.