Ruined
Have you ever had a day that didn’t go as planned? I awoke to sunny skies and quickly packed a suitcase to head out to the airport for a late morning flight. Thinking about what to wear on the plane, I chose white jeans and a white jean jacket. You never know how cold it will be on a plane these days, and I wanted to be ready!
Typically, wherever I go, I carry a stainless mug filled with hot life-giving coffee, but on this morning, a “to-go” cup was in order. So, driving to the airport with Steve, I lovingly sipped my coffee, careful not to spill any on my white clothes. I know what you are thinking. Choosing to wear white jeans and a white jean jacket was not the most brilliant idea on a travel day, but it looked good until it didn’t.
Steve stopped the car at the proper Terminal so he could unload my suitcase and send me off with a kiss. However, when I opened my door, I decided to take the small cup of coffee with me to finish it and throw out the paper cup. Unfortunately, the disaster occurred when I accidentally tipped the cup and spilled it on my white jacket, splashing several locations. So, what’s a girl to do? After checking in my luggage, I stopped at a bathroom and tried to wash out the coffee, which helped a little, but the stain was still there. Coffee is tough!
Sitting on the plane and knowing there was a washer and dryer at my destination, I relaxed and determined a plan of action. Of course, the first thing I would do is wash my white jean jacket. Problem solved, or at least I thought.
The plane landed, and I retrieved my luggage. A sweet friend picked me up at the airport and immediately noticed my stained jacket, but not because of the coffee stain. Instead, she said, “There is black all over the BACK of your jacket.” Wait, I thought there was coffee on the FRONT of my jacket? Somehow, I now had black marks on the back and coffee on the front. What a mess I had become! But no worries, a little prewash stain treatment and time in the washer would make everything look brand new.
We arrived at the condo, and I sprayed my jacket and put it in the washer with detergent and then turned on the machine and walked away, knowing it would be good as new when we got back from grocery shopping. But it wasn’t.
Arriving back an hour later, I pulled the jacket out of the washer, and nothing had changed; my jacket was still stained. At that point, I considered discarding my jean jacket, and then I realized the problem was that the jacket was still DRY. The washer hadn’t turned on—operator error. One more try, and just like that, the coat was as good as new!
I’ve come to realize that my life is like that jacket. Sometimes it becomes stained by things around me, and sometimes it gets stained by my actions. Either way, the outcome can seem pretty ugly. You and I can get stained by many things, such as words spoken over us or words we say. Unkindness towards us, or our being unkind to others. Unforgiveness or being unforgiving to someone else. All these things leave their mark on our lives. So, we need a good washing!
In Ephesians chapter five, the apostle Paul talks about how Jesus feels about us, His church, and how this washing occurs.
Ephesians 5:26 tells us He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s Word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish.
When my jacket didn’t get clean the first time, I wanted to “blame the washer,” but I was to blame for not allowing the washer to do its job! Being in a hurry will cost you!
Here are a few simple truths:
God can only wash us with His Word when we allow Him the opportunity to do so.
“So, humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty, is divided between God and the world.” James 4:7-8 (NLT)
It is our responsibility to come close to Jesus.
Washing takes time.
“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2 (NLT)
Time with Jesus is a gift we need to give ourselves.
You may need a little prewash.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Renewing your mind is done by applying the Word of God to your situation.
Have you ever turned on worship music and sat to read God’s Word when suddenly, you feel the power of His word wash over your life? The “suddenly” occurred because you took the time to experience an encounter with Jesus. You set yourself up for a suddenly!
In about two months, we will gather for Prevail 21. The goal of our gathering is this:
TO CREATE EXPERIENCES TO INSPIRE WOMEN TO ENCOUNTER JESUS, LIVE EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND BE EQUIPPED TO IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITY.
Can I ask you to take a moment right now and agree in prayer with me that we will put ourselves in a posture to be washed by His Word? Then, look for our Thirty Day Prayer Countdown on social media. Let’s prewash our conference with the Word and expect to see LOVE PREVAIL!
Love serving you,
Liz
