Laundry Day

How do you feel about a pile of laundry that needs to be done? For me, it is my go-to chore — the one job that I always make time for: filling the washer with my favourite detergent, pre-treating the stains, putting in some heavy work clothing that has been in the garden or from some renovation project. I close the lid and start the cycle. My old washer allows me to open the lid and check on the status of the agitation — and, oh! how I love to see that grungy water! After the rinse cycle, everything smells clean and fresh! Despite its repetitiveness, it's a chore that I enjoy doing.

Recently, a PresbyCan Devotional got me thinking about how a pile of dirty laundry could be an analogy for our sin.

Isaiah 64:6 – All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (NIV)

Sin repeatedly dirties our lives — something that we are uncomfortable acknowledging — we wish it would just go away. We don't want to think about our sin, so we carry it with justification and denial, struggling and pretending that it doesn't need to be dealt with.

Similarly, my husband has what we call "the suit", a workwear coverall that he uses to shingle a roof, crawl under the deck, transplant trees, or dig out a foundation. Instead of getting it washed, he takes the suit off after the job is completed, rolls it into a ball, and stuffs it in the shed. I search for it because I want to wash it. He gives me excuses: "It's just going to get dirty again", or "It's going to wreck the washer." But it's so easy for me to clean, and it brings me joy!

What if Christ wants to deal with our sin that way? He eagerly waits for us to come back to Him, as seen in the parable of the lost son. After all, it was for the very purpose of giving His life for the forgiveness of our sin that He came. And doing that brings Him joy!

Hebrews 12:2b – For the joy set before him [he] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NIV)

Friends, let us not deprive our Saviour of the joy of forgiving our sin. Let's not make excuses, remembering that He wants to do this for us and that we can share in the joy of our spiritual laundry day! Pray with me:

Prayer: Lord, may I eagerly come to You with the messiness of my life. Help me to see those areas where I roll my sin into a ball and stuff it somewhere that I don't have to deal with it. Open my ears and my heart so that I can turn and be healed. Amen.

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About the author:

Clara Bettencourt <claraccb@gmail.com>
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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