Cleanse and Renew

Simply put, I love a freshly washed car.

Is it important to have a clean car?  Some may say no, it really isn’t that important.   However, if you were to ask someone who owns a car wash they might give you an education regarding the damage that could be done to a car that doesn’t receive routine care.  Dirt and dust can scratch a paint job and when it builds up it dulls your car’s shiny finish.  Windows that are covered in grime, dead bugs or bird droppings can obstruct a driver’s vision making it difficult to see what needs to be clearly visible.

Do I love waiting in the long line at the car wash?  No!  But the results are worth the time spent there and for hopefully a week or more I can enjoy a clean car.  Inevitably, the results are short lived.  Parking your car under the shade of a tree on a hot day is all it takes to find yourself with a dirty car again.  The car wash will happily return my car to a “clean” state but the cycle continues with no end….clean, dirty, clean, dirty….grrr!

Such is the state of our hearts.  When we first came to know Christ as our savior, we were washed clean of the stain of our sin and secure in the hope of an eternity with Jesus.  But as we walk through this life, we too need routine care.  A regular look inside our heart, asking God to reveal where sin has dulled our witness, left a dirty mark or blinded us to the truths we need to clearly see, should be a regular part of our Christian walk and necessary in our ongoing sanctification.

Like the time spent at the car wash, the time spent with God seeking a pure heart and knowing He can use me for His purposes is worth it!

“Create in me a pure heart o God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10