A Reading
“Don’t you realise that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God. … Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9,11)
A Thought
We have experienced torrential downpours recently. Many people look out to see the rain falling past their windows, and down to see the numerous puddles being created. Being responsible for property maintenance, I look up to see whether the gutters are working properly!
Where water overflows from the gutters, I know that moss, lichen and leaves have blocked the filter across the downpipe. Prevented by other members of the household from fixing this during the storm, I schedule gutter inspection as a priority activity.
Clearing debris usually requires many ladder ascents along the length of the gutter, each time clearing a yard or two of deposited debris. However, the task was much simpler this week. The force of water had cleared the debris along the entire gutter lengths to rest in a single position on top of the filter. Clearing the filter was easy and satisfying - large handfuls of debris dropped into the garden waste bag.
It made me ponder how the debris in our own lives can so easily be removed by the strength of our faith.
Selfish habits, neglected tasks, indifference to others, such as which litter our conscience, are caught and removed through repentance and faith in Jesus. Worries and concerns are swept away when we pray in the strength of the Holy Spirit. We are washed clean in a torrent of eternal love.
Permanently clean.
A Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank you that through your death and my repentance, my sins can be permanently washed away.
May your Holy Spirit always cleanse my thoughts and actions.
Amen