Getting Dirty to Become Clean

     When I was a young girl, I didn't like the outdoors. I decided at an early age that nature had nothing of value to offer me and preferred to spend my time indoors where I could remain clean and avoid the horrors found outside (as in spiders and bugs and snakes and spiders). Fortunately, I grew out of this aversion. I learned that being outside is fun and offers countless opportunities, and even though it may result in getting dirty, it makes that shower at the end of the day much more enjoyable.

     God recently taught me a lesson about being dirty.

     When a person is born, he or she comes out of the womb sinful, dirty. Though that sin doesn't manifest into anything significant for several years, it will eventually show its true colors. The beautiful thing about our Lord is that when we truly accept Him into our lives, all of the nasty, dirty, unmentionable sins we've committed are forgiven. Our slate is wiped clean. So this means that once a person becomes a Christian, he or she will never sin again, right? Wrong. As human beings, it's in our nature to mess up. What makes being a Christ-follower different is having the Holy Spirit on our side. Now when we do wrong, that feeling of guilt and conviction makes itself known. One would think that this would make life simple; unfortunately, we're never promised an easy road.

     The lesson that God taught me is that it's possible to be a Christian and still be dirty. 

     Imagine falling into a puddle of mud. After a while, whatever bit is on you dries and creates matted hair and stiff clothes, and all you want is to go home and shower. As soon as the hot, steamy water touches your skin, the renewed feeling begins. You see the dirt and grime being rinsed off of your body and down the drain. However, upon getting out of the shower and glancing in the mirror, you notice that you still have a small spot of mud between your shoulder blades. It was just too hard to reach that spot. After further inspection, you discover remnants of mud behind your ears. You simply forgot to rub a washrag back there. The more you look, the more you realize that you're only partially clean.
     Our spiritual lives are the same way. As Christians it's a constant struggle to keep ourselves clean. The dirt of the world tries to work its way onto us, and if we're not careful, it'll cover us from head to toe. The Lord taught me that it's not enough to be mostly clean, to be pure and faithful in most areas in my life. We serve an all or nothing God, and He wants us to be clean in every aspect. 
      One might ask, "How do we get completely clean? There are some sins that are too hard to reach; I can't get rid of them." The beautiful thing about our Savior is that He's the ultimate "Mr. Clean." He can use His "magic eraser" (aka Jesus) to wipe away even the most stubborn spots and stains! He's only waiting for us to ask; our pride is the only thing standing in the way.

For me, it took hitting rock bottom to realize this truth. I had been wallowing around in the dirt, believing I was immune to getting dirty. Over time I began to notice spots of dirt that I couldn't quite wash away, and pretty soon even the most conservative garments couldn't cover up the grime. 

     Thankfully, God broke me. 

     In my weeping, crumpled state, I asked for forgiveness and like the Father He is, He held me in his arms and used that "magic eraser" to get rid of every last speck of dirt. I can honestly say that after being so filthy, I appreciate being clean much more!

     So how about you? Are you content with being dirty, or are you ready to get clean?