Grimy Cars & Ceiling Fans

There is a gem of wisdom that states, " You can't get clean water from a muddy stream." It shines a light on the truth that each of us impact our culture. If we expect to get upstanding business owners, government officials, and churches, we must be clean ourselves. We are the businesses, the government and the church. Therefore it follows that if we are not clean, these organizations will not be either.

But in this season, my life is showing me a different facet of wisdom. Dirt comes with the territory of living and sometimes we alone cannot remove it. Since what is spiritual is often revealed in the physical, I see a great example of this in my automobile.

While regrouping from our move from Tallahassee, I notice how utterly filthy my car interior is looking. Does anyone else just loathe getting into a dirty car? Frankly, I just feel prettier, more valuable and more focused when I slip into a clean ride, regardless of the make or model (take note, gentlemen). For me, it results in my acting prettier, speaking differently, and making better choices. But on this particular day, my ride is not that kind of car. Neither is my attitude.

Grime on the door handles, coffee splatters on the carpet, and sticky lollipops between the seats are calling cards that reveal an identity of living more in my car than in a house. Something has to be done! Before you are too impressed, let me be candid...my morale dictates a thorough cleaning more than my morals. I feel icky just looking at the grime. Breaking out a container from the kitchen, I (the person responsible for this car) clean it thoroughly and carefully, washing in between the seams of the seats, the dirty dashboard, as well as the walls.

Voila!

Dirty water; clean car!

This time of washing has my mind on autopilot, and I consider the filth on the interior of the house we have begun to claim as home. My car bore weeks of grime; our house shows years. Look at this ceiling fan...

NASTY! But are they not really the same? Parallel to my vehicle's performance as transportation, the fan is doing its job, providing light and comfort while grime and dust cling to it. Over time this fan has morphed from creating an environment of comfort into aggravating breathing conditions. It is gross from "doing life" in a home. What's missing is a cleaning by its owner.

Just like my car.

Just like me.

Living in a fallen world means that I travel through dirt and grime while living my life. As I move our family from season to season, shining light and providing comfort for those in my environment I get grimy and nasty.

Sometimes it is not sin; sometimes it is just living. Dirt clings to me in the form of exhaustion that makes me impatient with my children when they act like children. Grime from insignificant changes sticks to my tongue as I vent my complaints to an innocuous repair man. Filth leaks out of my facial expressions as I realize more things are left on my honey-do list than checked off of it. Does this not sound like life? We can become as nasty as a neglected car when we are not cleansed. But we alone cannot cleanse ourselves anymore than the objects around us. The One responsible will faithfully step in to restore us. The Father tenderly cares for me, washing me clean when the cares of this world cover me with grime. As I am still in Him, He takes the exhaustion and replaces it with strength. He brushes out the barbs from my tongue and replaces them with gratitude. He smooths my complexion with affection for a husband who is diligent and faithful. Do I feel guilt for needing to be cleansed again and again? Not all all. This is a messy life; grime will get on me and in me. Instead of wallowing in shame for my dirty attitude, foul mouth, or condemning expressions, I call on Him to be cleansed again. And again. And again.

But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

I Corinthians 6:11