Clean

CLEAN

What a good word !

I have always been sort of a germophobe, but it seems that that word has taken on a whole new meaning during this coronavirus scare.  You would think we had already "gotten it" because of studying how back in the day they discovered they lost fewer patients if the medical people washed their hands before going from patient to patient.  Guess not.  Now it seems everywhere you turn you are bombarded with the message "wash your hands."

On Saturday, we went over to the warehouse and cleaned the kitchen.  Last week, work went on in there from early in the morning until late in the afternoon.  It looked like a cyclone had gone through.  We spent 3 hours cleaning, but since all of us were working and never stopped, that is the equivalent of 9 hours.  John boy said even more because of some law that I never heard of and can't remember even now as I write this!  We saw more to do but at least it is cleaner than it was.  

When we came home we tackled our house.  A place always looks worse when you come from cleaning somewhere else.  Now our home is spotless as well.

I wish that I were as concerned about cleaning up my temple....the house I live in and never leave.  We want our space clean and germ free...the space we call home... but I am afraid I am not as concerned with my inner temple where the Holy Spirit dwells.  Sometimes I think I hear Him say, "Hey, don't you think you need to work a little bit in this room here....the attic, where all your hateful thoughts start?  Don't you think you need to do a thorough cleaning there, making sure you hit the corners as well?"  

Then I hear Him say, "Hey, this room where your heart is could use some deep cleaning as well. It has grown hard from sitting gathering dust and cobwebs.  Don't you think it's time to dust that thing off?"  

And one more thing He says..."I am tired of trying to get you to lift those arms to help someone, and urge those feet to go where I am trying to send you.  Don't you think it is time to put some oil on those things to get them moving again"?

I hear this and sigh, and realize, once again, that yes, I should keep my earthly home clean and try as best I can to keep the environment around me clean.  I need to keep my hands washed so I don't put germs into my body.  But more important, I need to be sure my insides are clean.  For what does it profit a man to clean the whole world and lose his soul? (paraphrase of Mark 8:36) Here is one more scripture for you: Matthew 23:25 "Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.   The Message Bible says that the insides are "maggoty with your greed and gluttony."

Be sure you wash your hands today, but be even more sure that you are keeping your insides without "spot or blemish!"  Ephesians 5:25  "Husbands love your wives JUST AS CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT, THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY AND CLEANSE IT WITH THE WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD, THAT HE MIGHT PRESENT IT TO HIMSELF A GLORIOUS CHURCH, NOT HAVING SOPT OR WRINKLE OR ANY SUCH THING BUT THAT IT SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH."