In my last post, I said that parents want their children to go outside and play. The benefits of getting outdoors--exercise, fresh air, and interaction--make it time well spent, even if the child gets a little dirty in the activity. When they send their little ones out to play, however, there is one thing that they look forward to more than the time away: that is knowing that their children are going to return and come back into the house.
After a session of outside time, however, it is expected that the return into the presence of mom and dad will be preceded by a removal of the dirt which has attached itself to clothes and shoes. Most of us have heard our mothers say, "Don't drag that mud all over my clean floor." Though parents want us to go play in great outdoors, they don't want us to bring it into the house.
Most homes have a door in the garage or rear of the house where children come to remove articles of dress that have been covered in mud or snow. They are required to return home through that entrance. And moms and dads are more than willing to help the child get clean before they come in. The clothes will be taken and washed once they have been removed from the child. They are not going to make the child stay outside until they have cleaned themselves up, rather, they are going to do whatever they can to make sure that the process is completed correctly. Parents want to be around their kids--they just don't want to hang around with the dirt that has attached themselves to those precious ones.
When I think of God and the joy of being in His presence, I am assured that He also wants us to step out from time-to-time for exercise, exploration, and interaction. But He always longs for our return. And when we do so, usually tainted with some impurity, He is going to direct us through the one door where the cleaning takes place. Jesus says that He is that door. He removes the dirt, cleans our clothes, and rejoices in the company of His loving family.
God does not expect us to come to Him already clean. He knows that there are contaminants in the world that will attach themselves to us. But He does expect that when we come, we will let Him clean us. God doesn't want us to drag mud all over His carpet. So, when we come to the door, He cleans us.
And as it turns out, when we let God do the scrubbing, we clean up pretty nicely.
READERS NOTE: I am excited to announce that in the next few days we will be having a special guest post written by David Lewellyn, a speaking pastor at Life Center Church. While listening to David preach a few weeks he ago, He related a wonderful picture story that I felt needed to be shared with my readers. David has agreed to do so. I think you will be truly blessed by what he shares. So, be looking for that. God bless you all!
After a session of outside time, however, it is expected that the return into the presence of mom and dad will be preceded by a removal of the dirt which has attached itself to clothes and shoes. Most of us have heard our mothers say, "Don't drag that mud all over my clean floor." Though parents want us to go play in great outdoors, they don't want us to bring it into the house.
Most homes have a door in the garage or rear of the house where children come to remove articles of dress that have been covered in mud or snow. They are required to return home through that entrance. And moms and dads are more than willing to help the child get clean before they come in. The clothes will be taken and washed once they have been removed from the child. They are not going to make the child stay outside until they have cleaned themselves up, rather, they are going to do whatever they can to make sure that the process is completed correctly. Parents want to be around their kids--they just don't want to hang around with the dirt that has attached themselves to those precious ones.
When I think of God and the joy of being in His presence, I am assured that He also wants us to step out from time-to-time for exercise, exploration, and interaction. But He always longs for our return. And when we do so, usually tainted with some impurity, He is going to direct us through the one door where the cleaning takes place. Jesus says that He is that door. He removes the dirt, cleans our clothes, and rejoices in the company of His loving family.
God does not expect us to come to Him already clean. He knows that there are contaminants in the world that will attach themselves to us. But He does expect that when we come, we will let Him clean us. God doesn't want us to drag mud all over His carpet. So, when we come to the door, He cleans us.
And as it turns out, when we let God do the scrubbing, we clean up pretty nicely.
READERS NOTE: I am excited to announce that in the next few days we will be having a special guest post written by David Lewellyn, a speaking pastor at Life Center Church. While listening to David preach a few weeks he ago, He related a wonderful picture story that I felt needed to be shared with my readers. David has agreed to do so. I think you will be truly blessed by what he shares. So, be looking for that. God bless you all!
Thanks, Jeff, for taking the "Play 60" TV commercial and making it something we can practice in our daily lives. I look forward to reading the guest blog.
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