Monday, November 30, 2015

Lessons Learned from the Dishwasher

1.  Sometimes things don't do their job.

2.  Things might look clean but beneath the surface there is gross gunk.

3.  A little prevention goes a long way.

4.  More soap doesn't mean cleaner dishes.

5. Deep cleaning requires effort.

6.  Running the machine doesn't get things clean; it just wastes water.

Strange things rattle around in my head.  Like, how my relationship with Jesus is often reflected in the woes of my dishwasher.  Perhaps it is the Divine speaking to me.  Perhaps it is the spicy avocado hummus keeping me awake to think too much.

I don't often do my "job"; my part of the relationship.  I still expect the blessing and the favor but neglect the praise, the seeking, the sanctifying.  

I often appear put together and okay but beneath the surface my heart is just as full of sin as the drain of my dishwasher was full of sticky, grossness.

Seeking the Lord each morning, praying thoughout my day, praising God in the hard and sweet moments goes a long way to preventing a full on break down.

Too much soap clogs a dishwasher just like too much culture, America, the good life clogs my relationship with Emmanuel - God with us.

A pin, a sink full of vinegar water and 3 hours is what it took to clear the solid build up of gunk from the drain basket of the dishwasher. I know the effort to clear out the sin takes longer; a lifetime really. It is a constant effort of prayer, asking for light to shine in the dark spots and effort.

Going through the motions isn't what I am called to in my relationship with Jesus.  It's just a waste of  time to fake it.  Jesus says in Matthew 15:7-8, "“You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me…’”   But," let us press on to know the Lordhis going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers,as the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3.