CLEAN ON THE INSIDE

“God doesn’t expect us to be perfect. He’s not surprised when we mess up. In fact, he sent Jesus to clean up our mess. He didn’t send him to point an accusing finger." - Rick Warren

Cay invited friends over for tea, and the job of cleaning the windows fell to me. Newspaper and cleaner in hand I sprayed and wiped and wiped and sprayed. Eventually, things looked a little better. But many of the smudges would not come clean.

My efforts were ineffective because most of the grime was on the other side of the glass. I went onto the balcony and scrubbed again. Viola! The glass became clean.

Our attempts to clean up our lives are often little more than strategies for image management. We get rid of a few behavioral flaws, but many of the deeper, stubborn stains remain in place. The dirt always distorts our view. 

Jesus didn’t live in a world with glass windows, but He understood the importance of cleaning the more profound issues inside. He said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” (Matthew 23:25)

Washing windows is never enjoyable. It’s easy to look right past my smudges, missing what needs attention. But removing the grime is essential if we want a better view of God, our world, and ourselves. 

Dan Bolin

President

Refueling in Flight Ministries