Missed a Spot

I drive a van. Not the most stylish way to travel, but I've learned to enjoy it. I like to take care of the vehicles I drive, so I regularly wash and wax my van, keep the inside cleaned, and have the oil changed (something I haven't learned to do, nor do I have the desire to learn).

The first time I waxed the van, I met a new challenge. I'd never had such a tall vehicle. Usually, I could open a door, stand on the floorboard and reach the middle of the roof. Not with the van. I wasn't even close. I even tried standing on the seats, but I could only reach portions of the roof...and risked the probability of falling over backward. I don't mind risk, but it was easy to rationalize the risk was too great, so I decided to skip the roof. After all, who would see it?

I started waxing the rest of the van, but I kept thinking about the roof. Drat the inconvenient times God speaks to me. I could have been content to just shine what I could see...but he reminded me that's not the way he does things.

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10 (NLT)

He doesn't leave dirty spots. He doesn't ignore the places hidden from view; those are exactly the most important ones to get and keep clean! It doesn't matter whether or not I see the top of my van. It's exposed to rain and sun more than any other area of my vehicle, so it's the last area I should ignore! I was convicted. I fetched a ladder.

What in your life... thoughts, responsibilities, interests... are slightly out of reach yet need extra protection? God's already aware, and he's willing and able to clean it all.

...So, today I started with the top. I've decided it's a spiritual discipline for me, a reminder I need to place everything in my life under his cleansing and protection. I was pretty proud of myself as I balanced on my ladder. And then I started on the lower panels. The car wash had not completely removed the summer road grime. Ugh. What would it hurt to wax over a little streak here and there?

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. - 1 John 1:9

How have you glossed over your imperfections? How did it work for you?

It never works well for me. Convicted again. Yes, it took me longer to wax the van, but I'm sure it was worth it. And I'll let you know next time I plan to wax the van, because I'm sure God will continue to teach me!

If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. - 2 Timothy 2:21

Mountain Top

I've been to the mountain top today. Literally. Figuratively, it's been more like a dumpster diving day...a little smelly and sticky.

I've been surrounded the past couple days by gorgeous hills, building into the Appalachians. Covered with vibrant green trees and often skirted in mist. A friend and I trekked to a lookout point yesterday, and it was well worth the climb. I even decided to take another route to the same location later in the day. I wondered how many miles I could see from that vantage point. A lot. Funny how even when our perspective is expanded, we still have no clue how much, or how little, of the big picture we're actually seeing.

God gave me a glimpse of the big picture today. My schedule was hectic, and the time in which I thought I could easily fit in a short hike suddenly flooded with trouble-shooting and adjustments. But God was beckoning me to spend some time with him. Because I was expected to soon be encouraging a large group of women, helping them laugh with each other and dance in God's presence, I knew that if I kept on my own course, I'd be zapped of energy and enthusiasm. So I did something I don't do often enough. I said "no" to an obligation and said "yes" to God. And I hiked to the lookout point I'd visited yesterday.

The climb was steep. And I started thinking how being obedience to God is not easy. Obedience challenges me. But I do better with it when I'm well-equipped. For hiking, my map and water are musts. For obedience, constant communication with God. Through his word, prayer, worship. So as I climbed, I took each step for him. When I stopped to take a drink, I savored God's words to me. When a heard the sounds of the hills, I listened for his voice. When I reached the top and marvelled again at the complexity and beauty of his creation, I raised my face to his in worship.

The hike down was just as challenging physically, and spiritually, God reminded me that I can go too fast sometimes and get caught up in the rush of everyday life. I was walking back to my obligations and daily life, but with renewed purpose. Only God knew the challenges waiting for me at the bottom of that mountain top, but I sure am thankful I chose obedience today, so he could prepare me in his providential way.

Send out your light and your truth;let them guide me.Let them lead me to your holy mountain,to the place where you live. - Psalm 43:3 (NLT)