REPURPOSING A GARBAGE CAN… Can you imagine it? It’s a vivid scene to be sure (depending on what was in the can AND the cleansing capability and determination of the person tackling the task – cleansing and repurposing the can […like my wife, Sharon, cleans for example – believe me, there’s “clean” and then there’s “Sharon clean!])
First off, you’ve got to get rid of the big, obvious garbage on the outside and inside of the can… then you examine more closely and tackle the next level garbage… then you get something to wipe out and scrape off the “crud” along the sides and bottom of the can… and finally out comes the detergent disinfectant with the scouring pads… The goal? Clean! – REALLY CLEAN!!
Got the picture? I imagined to process based upon what I read in my Bible this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” – 2 Timothy 2:20-21.
“In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay – some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefor, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy – useful to the master of the house ready for every good work!”
In this case we’re not talking about “Sharon clean” – It’s a cooperative effort – The searchlight of the Holy Spirit and the cooperative willingness of the one desiring and yielding to the cleansing! “Search me O God, and know my heart – try me and know my thoughts – and see if there is any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24)
And the result of the process? “If we confess our sins [cooperate with the “cleanser”) He is faithful and jus to forgive us our sins and to CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!” (1 John 1:9) … “a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy – useful to the master of the house ready for every good work!”
So this is what I wrote in the margin of my Bible this morning: “Oh Lord, I want to be a vessel of honor! I open myself up to your searching eyes and seek Your Diving cleansing from all that defiles! Help me! I want “clean hands and a pure heart!” (Psalm 24:3-5)
Coffee With The Lord 