At the Edison household, we’re in full spring cleaning mode. The recent cold weather had put a damper on our efforts, but it’s supposed to be in the 70’s today, so we’re out of excuses. It’s time to get dusting and mopping, sorting and discarding, scrubbing and cleaning.
We have another incentive to get this place cleaned up today. A friend is coming to stay with us for a while. She can’t get into her new place for a few days and we’ve got a spare bedroom, so we invited her to stay there till her place opens up. We want her to feel at home when she gets here, which is why we’re doubling down on our efforts to get this place looking shipshape.
Besides my house there’s another place that could use a good spring cleaning – my heart. Over time it’s gotten filled up with guilt and shame, old hurts and disappointments, broken promises, and thoughts that really should never see the light of day. I really should get it cleaned up, but I keep putting it off.
The problem is, I’ve got a friend who wants to come in and stay with me, not just for a while, but permanently. His name is Jesus. He’s the best friend anyone could ever ask for and I’d really like to invite Him in, but I’m embarrassed. This place is such a mess!
But then I hear Him say, “Stop worrying about it. If you confess your sins, I am faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9). In other words, “Just open the door. Let me in. Don’t worry about the mess. I’ll take care of it.”
Jesus is the best kind of guest I could ever ask for! He doesn’t expect me to get things all spic-and-span in my life before I invite Him in. He just wants to be with me, no matter how messed up I am inside. He says, “This job’s too big for you anyway. Let me get to work. When I’m done ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.’” (Isaiah 1:18).
This morning do you hear Jesus knocking on the door of your heart too? If so, then stop worrying about the mess you’re in. You can’t clean it up by yourself anyway, but He can. Just open the door and let Him get to work. You’ll be amazed how much better things look when He’s done!
Open the door! It’s Cleaning Day!