It happened again this morning. Every time it happens, I think, “Someday I will write about this!” Today’s the day.
As I sit at my kitchen table having my breakfast and planning my day, the first beam of sunlight pours through the window. I’m enjoying the beauty of the morning and look to see the light as it dances across my kitchen floor, spotlighting some crumbs! What? I hadn’t noticed them before! I immediately get up, get the broom and dustpan to clean them up. As I’m sweeping up the small area, I notice more areas that need sweeping. The sun comes in and washes over the entire floor revealing more dust, hair, crumbs, and other unidentifiable items! I can’t believe it. The floor didn’t look dirty at all before the sun came up! Now I see a sticky spot. The broom won’t work on this one; I need a wet rag. Before you know it, I’ve pulled out all my cleaning supplies and I’m cleaning the entire floor.
I go back to my spot at the kitchen table and there are my Bible and other study materials. I can’t help making a comparison with my kitchen floor. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” It shines in the darkness and reveals sin in my life. If I don’t allow the light of scripture to shine in my life, I won’t be able to see the messes.
Do I immediately work to clean up the sin as the light reveals it? Sometimes, I confess, I don’t feel the urgency of cleaning up those little “crumbs”. They’re not really bothering anyone. As I spend time with God in prayer and studying His word, He reveals more dirty and sticky spots that need to be cleaned up. It requires all the tools to clean them. As I study and spend time with Jesus, the true Light (John 1:9), He reveals more areas that need His cleansing. He does the work, I just have to cooperate with Him.
As a sinner saved by grace, Jesus has covered all my sins and has forgiven them, but I don’t want to take this for granted. As Paul stated in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be!” As I read God’s word and study it, His light shines in the dark places of my life and I can see where I need to turn those areas over to Him to be cleaned and refreshed. I don’t want to let those little crumbs turn into bigger areas and sticky spots!
I challenge you to let God’s word shine in your life to reveal those hidden, dirty spots and to allow Him to clean them and fill them with His light. When all the dark spots are filled with light, you will be able to “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Jesus~Matthew 5:16)
Linda Yorio
