Pressure Washing

A few years ago, I decided to pressure wash our driveway. At first glance, I didn’t think

the driveway looked bad. I only saw a couple of areas that needed attention. But as I

began washing the area, I was amazed how the pressurized water washed away the

dirt, grime, and pollen that had built up over the months. As I finished that first section,

it looked almost brand new.

But then I noticed how the section next to it looked. It was as covered with dirt and

grime as the first section had been. As I cleaned that section, the next one caught my

attention. Eventually, I just gave in and washed the entire driveway. I’m glad I did; the

drive looked pretty good.

Of course, it didn’t last. In no time, the dirt began to cover my work and eventually I

had to pull out the pressure washer and do it all over.

That reminds me a lot of my spiritual life. At first glance, I don’t look ‘that bad.’ But upon

closer inspection, I can see that dirt and pollen (aka Sin) has built up in my life. What

used to be bright and new has become stained, even dirty.

I need cleansing. Not just a simple hosing down. I need the Holy Spirit to pressure wash

my sins away so that I can look as clean and shiny as when I was a new Christian. But

just like my driveway, eventually I will become covered in sin again. The Holy Spirit will

have to wash me all over again.

But that is a good metaphor for living a Spiritual Life. We go through life getting dirty

from sin until we reach that point where we long to be restored. The Holy Spirit washes

us inside and out and makes us presentable again. Then we go back into the world and

soon we are covered with the dirt of the world.

King David understood this. After being reminded of his sinfulness, he cried out to God,

‘Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.’

That is where church comes in. We come to church week after week to be cleansed, to

be made new, to be reminded that we are not meant to live covered with the dirt of the

world. Rather, through worship, and fellowship, and hearing God’s word, we are

cleansed. We leave church bright and shiny.

As I was finishing the last section of my driveway, I noticed my neighbor washing his

sidewalk. He jokingly said, ‘This is all your fault.’ When we begin to shine for Jesus,

people take notice and want to be cleansed themselves.

This even gave me the opportunity to put my faith into practice. I began washing his

driveway as well. When I finished, his driveway was clean as well. That reminds me that

my spiritual life is a process that will only be completed when Jesus returns.

If you are ready to be washed, then I hope to see you on Sunday!

Pastor Marty