Soaking and scrubbing… two different actions required for the treatment of stains. The soaking softens the stain and gets it ready to be scrubbed out. The scrubbing gets down in the grooves of the fabric, agitating and lifting the stain out. In life when we’ve made a mistake or taken a misstep, or sinned, we may have a stain on us that requires more than a simple toss in the delicate cycle, more than going through the motions. This is especially true if the stain has been there for awhile. Old, dried on stains are harder to get out. God however has a plan to get the fabric of our lives c-l-e-a-n. He SOAKS us in His word. He SOAKs us in His conviction. He SOAKs us in His grace. He SOAKs us until our hearts become softened to His voice and His leading. Sometimes, our stains need extra attention so He SCRUBS us with His word, with His conviction, with His grace. He SCRUBS us until we have a clear direction, a fresh start, forgiveness, a rejection of self-condemnation.
A Genesis week to me refers to the week of creation; a week where God literally made something amazing out of absolutely nothing. Each day He had a plan. Each day was ordered. Each day was productive and fulfilling. He can do this with our lives! Even when we’re fresh out of the wash, we’re wet and wrinkled, we’re not folded and put away yet, we’re still in the chaos of the laundry cycle! BUT, we’re clean and smelling fine! We’ve been soaked and scrubbed and been given a fresh start. He can work with that. He will dry us, iron us, fold us, put us away and get us ready to step out into a new day.
How often do I take the time to stop going through the motions and let God treat the stains in my life? Do I pray with an openness to hear Him and let Him work me into something new? Do I let Him treat my stains while they’re fresh, before they have a chance to really set in? Do I let Him complete the cycle before my “self” interferes?
Lord, remind me to soak. Thank you for having a redemptive plan. Keep me clean and fresh!
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