Friday, March 17, 2006

Dust

Today's Devotional. Joni and Friends

"After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." — John 13:5

I'm a little self-conscious about my wheelchair. Don't get me wrong; I've adjusted to it. But I have this thing about dressing up in nice slacks, a pretty blouse, and earrings -- and then sitting in a wheelchair that has dust on the motor casing, greasy dirt on the drive belt, or grimy fingerprints on the power box. And believe me, my wheelchair collects dust. In fact, before I enter somebody's house, I don't wipe my feet, I wipe my wheels.

It's good to keep dust from accumulating. Jesus made a point of this when he washed the dust off the disciples' feet. If you'll recall, the disciples protested at first. But Jesus reminded them that unless He washed their feet, they could have no part with Him. The Lord went on to explain that a person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet since the rest of him is clean.

As Christians, you and I have been made clean by our salvation. Yet we can't help but gather dust from walking around in a world dirtied by sin. It’s a fact: your soul gets dusty. If we don't watch it, the dust builds up into a layer of dirt. (I’m reminded of this when Ken has to clean some of my wheelchair “dust” with a scouring pad and 409). In the same way, I need to keep after my soul.

What about you? Stop and make a quick inspection. Do the bottoms of your shoes look as if you have tracked through a quarry? Well, you wouldn't think twice about wiping your feet before entering someone's home. Please show as much concern today about the dust on your soul.

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Lord Jesus, wash me clean as I confess my lazy attitude. Show me the places in my life that have accumulated dust that you are eager to polish up.

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