“We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as he is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2b-3
Our grandson was going to be performing in a talent show and we already knew it was going to be a rush to get there. The trip takes over an hour and we needed to leave in time. We ALSO needed to take my truck, since Katie’s car needs an appointment for new tires. One problem… MY truck is MY truck, so it resembles MY personality type. NOT my hers! I had some work to do!
NO one rides in my truck but me. Running from 1 place to another, it is the perfect vehicle to simply throw and go! From cutting grass to hauling tools, to moving items from one place to another, I can almost tell what I have done over time by the remnants of what’s lying on the seat or floor! If my bride is going to fit in there, AND be JOYFUL about it, I had some cleaning to do.
I used to have a saying at my job… “Some people work… other people clean!” I was THRILLED when I saw a picture of Einsteins desk just hours after he had died. He and I shared the same thing in common with Mark Twain and Steve Jobs! Could it be that a cluttered work space really IS a sign of a genius? Regardless, my wife would NEVER fall for that line. So I cleaned, sanitized and Fabreezed my truck’s interior.
It is ABSOLUTELY true that I was COMPLETELY forgiven and cleansed from sin, ‘once and for all,’ at Calvary. While many people have a hard time with that concept, I know and rejoice at that fact. Anything less would would ultimately fail to save. But I ALSO know that ‘willful sinning because I can’ is a concept that can cause a severe breakdown of Christ’s Vessel! Translation? If Jesus resides in my life… a clean ride is a SMOOTH ride… for BOTH of us!
It doesn’t matter if a truck is clean or dirty when getting a job done, or when getting from one place to another. As long as the engine is running fine, the truck has no complaints. Nor do I! As long as it gets the job done, I find there are OTHER things that are more important for my time. But when I stop to consider my passenger, it makes a BIG difference in our relationship. Jesus and my wife BOTH deserve better!
When Katie got home early, we hurried to the truck and I opened the door for her… and SHE NOTICED!! “WOW… you cleaned your TRUCK!” It’s BEAUTIFUL!” she said. Reminding her to NEVER use that word for a man’s stuff, I was nonetheless pleased that she was pleased. Our grandson was the star of the show, we got to see family and the ride was MUCH more enjoyable. Could realizing that concept make me a genius????? Haaaa! See how easy it is to start another mess?
