Washing The Car

1 John 1:8-10 – If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (ESV)

I live at present in a gated collection of flats and houses. One of the downsides of having a designated parking space is that there is no choice of where to park the car. The space we have is situated right under the trees that at present are full of aphids busily depositing their by-product, in the form of a sticky sugar solution, onto our car below. Not that I am complaining, because at least we are not situated — like my neighbour — underneath where the pigeons roost with their related overnight fallout!

I had waited until we had had some rainfall to go out and rub down the car with sponge and chamois leather. I rejoiced in the fact that I had recently waxed the car from top to bottom because, due to its protection, all that was left after the rain on the car was water, and not globules of aphid sticky stuff. As I looked at the beads of water sitting upright on the car roof, I thought about how easy (on account of the wax) it had been to wipe off the dirt.

It made me consider how we, as Christians, have the potential advantage of being in the world but not of it. As we seek God's presence, asking His forgiveness, we are cleansed by His grace from all that is of the world, and, armed by the Holy Spirit, we are girded up to face the world once more.

Of course, if we do not seek God's grace and favour, then we are going to find it an increasingly tougher time to carry on. Without God's grace, the detritus of life for us becomes sticky and, very quickly, tougher to remove!

Ephesians 6:10-13 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (ESV)

Prayer: Lord, we give You thanks and praise because we can entrust our cares and our lives into Your safe and protective custody. You are our rock and ever-present help in times of trouble. You are always faithful and just, our anchor in the storm. We humbly ask today for You to come and live with us. Wash over our lives today once more, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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