Dishwashing and Christianity (still needs scriptural references)

 

Untitled: Lesson in Life #2 Regarding A Growing Christian

               It all began with the installation of a new dishwasher. A simple task, or so I thought at first. As the repairman lifted my old dishwasher form its trusty housing and prepared to replace it with a new one, he called out to me, “Ma'am you have a problem. Please come and look.”

               Sure enough the old dishwasher had leaked profusely, ruining my vinyl flooring; it’s cabinet home and the subfloor underneath. What begun as a simple exchange of one appliance for another turned into a nightmarish ordeal. We then had to develop a plan for a kitchen remodel.

               First, we removed the cabinets. Then the vinyl had to be ripped out. Next, came the removal of the first layer of subflooring. Underneath the top layer also lay the lower layer of plywood—all ruined; to be thrown out at the street corner, a useless, filthy pile of rubble. I would not have chosen this time in my life to reconstruct the kitchen.

               But the floor joists were just fine. The foundation of our home was secure. Now, it was time for the reconstruction. New plywood, strong and sturdy with a new look and clean smell filled the holes where the old had been demolished. A second layer of flooring was added above. Crisp, new vinyl replace the dreary worn old rug. Finally new cabinets and gleaming countertops took the place of the weary, damaged ones. My kitchen, the true heart of my home had been restored.

               Our Christian life is so much like my kitchen trial. Our repairman, the Holy Spirit, shows us a seemingly small repair (to our minds) needing replacement as the wear and of our daily walk with the Lord. (Psalms 139: 23-24--search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me. KJV) That wear and tear rubs against our Adamic nature oftentimes causing spiritual damage, hidden from the world. (Our foundation of salvation is assured. I John 1: 9--if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. KJV.) As we seek to please our Father by cleaning out the damaged pieces of our spirit, we are shown that the surface damage is really hiding a much larger repair needed. We must strip out the old man and his ways through prayer and repentance to rebuild what Satan has tried to destroy. It is an arduous, sometimes painful task; one we probably wouldn’t choose to do at the time God so appoints, but we must, if our hearts are to be truly rebuilt or renewed according to God’s standards.

               Our foundation of salvation is secured. The blood of Jesus avails for us, a pathway to a renewed life. We must rebuild on that sure foundation in order to grown in Christ.

               In order to rebuild, we must ask ourselves:

1. What caused the damage—cares of this life, deceitfulness of riches, war against our Adamic nature; complacency, apathy; self-righteousness, relationship out of sync with God? (Psalms 51: 10-12--Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. (NRSV.)

2. What is the damage—wounds, misunderstood teachings, a wounded spirit, a heart of stone instead of a heart of flesh? (Proverbs 18:14--The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear? KJV.) (Ezekiel 36:26--I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. KJV.)

3.  What is God’s plan for renewal—renewing of your mind; prayer and repentance; replacing old materials from the world with new ones designed by the Father and found in His holy Word; renewed praise and worship, modeling our thoughts after God’s design, a strong relationship with the Author and Finisher of our Faith; consistent prayer and Bible time? (Philippians 2: 5--Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. KJV.) (Romans 12:2--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. KJV.)

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