Honestly, I had no idea…

My house was so dirty. Don’t get me wrong, I clean. But, this week, cleaning has become a top priority due to the COVID-19. So, I am taking the time to clean without cutting corners. I suppose those of you who are really into cleaning call this the ‘deep clean’. I didn't know how badly my house needed it. Can you relate?

On my hands and knees cleaning my floor, I noticed the white cloth was now totally brown. I found myself saying ‘wow, I had no idea’. I felt a bit ashamed for not being more attentive to my house and began to get a little overwhelmed. After all, I was only focusing on one small area of the house and there was still a lot to do.

Sometimes this is how it feels spiritually. As we get honest, we realize we often have selfish plans, attitudes of entitlement, a focus on outward appearance, what other people think, our financial stability, thoughts of jealousy or resentment or just bad habits. We can feel pretty dirty. Like the dirt in my house, the filth in our hearts and minds is there whether we pay attention to it or not.

So, here we are in Holy Week. This is the time Christians pause and reflect upon the journey of Jesus to give his own life for our true cleansing and security. Cleansing and security seem to be on our hearts and minds daily as we battle this pandemic. We are noticing what we rely upon for security, identity, satisfaction, pleasure and hope. Some of these self discoveries are not so pretty. The good news is we are positioned to face them and make some changes. And, we don't have to do that on our own. Jesus has made a way for us to be purified on the inside so that we reflect His heart of compassion, grace, mercy and sacrificial love.

Life was not easy for Jesus while he was here on earth. Mysteriously, Jesus was fully human, though fully God, and needed strength to fulfill his life mission. He told his closest friends...

“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

Stay here and keep watch with me.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed,

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.

Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:38-39

While Jesus was fully committed to his purpose for being on earth, he was also really honest about the difficulty of what that required. His love for us kept him praying and moving toward the mission to provide true security and hope to the world.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame,

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners,

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

Jesus' perfect life, sacrificial death, resurrection and ascension to heaven…

• paid our debt for sin (John 3:16)

• made a way for us to have His Spirit and strength for life today (John 14:15-16)

• supplied all we need to be cleansed from our crummy heart attitudes and actions that are driven by what we want rather than what we were created for (Psalm 51, Hebrews 10, 2 Corinthians 7)

• provide us peace that goes beyond the here and now, and what we can understand. (Philippians 4:7)

• a secure identity that can never be revoked as co-heirs with Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:17)

Let's consider the sacrificial gift Jesus has freely given, out of a love like no other love- the gift of life forever with Him. Jesus suffered so that we could have clean hearts, eternal security, love and hope that endures forever.

It is wonderful to have a clean house, but it is nothing compared to a heart free from resentment and fear, free to live lavishly loved, forgiven and secure for all eternity so that we can share these gifts of assurance with others.

Just like I am going room by room in my house to clean and purge, God’s Spirit will show us the places in our hearts and minds that need deep cleaning. Will you ask Him to show you those places and lovingly help you in this renewal day by day?

Thinking of you in your home today,

Mary Beth, April 5, 2020