Following my daughter's graduation, we left for Lake Oconee to try and recover from 2 high school graduations, a massive party, and all the challenges that go along with those. So we loaded up the cars (remember there are 8 of us) and headed for the lake house. I love the slower pace of Reynolds Plantation and the beauty of the lake, but it takes a couple of days to slow our lives down from the non-stop pace of 6 daughters, 2 gay dogs, 7 fish, a psycho cat and my travel schedule.
After being at the lake for 2 days, Jenny and I decided to power wash the front porch and driveway. Wow! That was a lot of mildew, pollen and gunk that accumulated on our place over the past year. I first tried to rinse it off with a hose - no luck - then we got serious with a power washer. I love to power wash stuff. You can see the immediate results of where you have cleaned and what needs to be cleaned.
I wonder if that is how God sees our lives. We allow gunk and dirt to build up in our hearts as we neglect time with our Creator and we deny hearing His voice. We allow pollution and filth to cake on our lives slowly. Slow enough that many never notice it. Then when God breaks out the power washer of forgiveness and grace we look and feel so much better. We, and the people around us can see the difference He has made. You can tell where you've been and where you need to go. The dark patches of pride and ego are washed away as He waves his grace-filled power washer through our hearts.
I've noticed that in my life, God has to use the power washer regularly. I tend to wander between washes and create some real caked on filth in my life. I know that's probably not true of your life, but if it is, God sits ready to wash you and clean you up.
By the way, have you ever noticed how much better things look when they are clean? Have you noticed that they smell better, look better, and feel better? So, what are you waiting on? Get out the power washer and allow God to clean you up.
Peace, Chuck
