Grimey Issues.

I got a new truck yesterday! It's a white-ish - gray-ish grime color.

Well, actually the new truck is simply my old one with a few layers of salt and road-dust painted on it. I had the pleasure of traveling north yesterday and the roads were messy.

Funny how the very thing that treats slippery roads also destroys the steel parts of a vehicle. It does speak toward the power of this mineral we use to flavor food, flush contacts, and melt ice.

Fact is, I'll need to remove that layer of salt fairly quickly or the oxidation process will attack the metal and rust will take its course. Arresting the power of salt requires a solvent. In this case, water is that cleansing agent. (This morning, the water would soon turn to ice!!)

Similarly, we deal with the same kinds of grimey veneers on our person, Specifically our hearts and minds are coated with destructive layers of grime. Harsh words, gossip, great loss, and other events add layers of dirt and muck that must be removed in order for us to experience the fullness of holy living. Water does not generally affect cleansing these areas of our life. It takes a bit more to wash hearts and minds free of corrosive ailments.

During the observation of Lent, each day brings a new opportunity to set aside something in our life that covers over the inspiring image of God within.

Yesterday, a "two hour delay" was suggested as a way to temper anger and provide a way forward to healthier relationships.

Today, a full body wash is called for.

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot

out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." (Psalm 51:1-2, NIV)

Our faith, our witness, our effectiveness in life is better served when the image we offer to the world is a defined picture of God's grace and love. Removing grimes of the world so the image is apparent must occur.

God can cleanse us from within, if we'll allow him. The fire of the Holy Spirit can burn away all the junk that festers inside us and that same spirit can launder all the dirty areas of our hearts and minds, if we'll allow him access.

Give God room to work on your grime today and see if you're life doesn't look different. Enjoy the cleansing and use your newness to reflect God's goodness to a dirty grimey world.