Washed In The Blood

During the past week or so, I've cleaned out my Honda Fit in preparation for basketball season. You see, my middle school girls' team carpools and I wanted it to be nice for the kids riding with me. This is about the newness of that car wearing off...and my own sin. It is from April 25, 2010.

I told you early in April that I was the proud owner of a new Honda Fit. The dispersing of the money from our parents' will allowed me for the first and maybe only time in my life to purchase a new vehicle with no interest. Lord willing, I'll enjoy it for the next ten-twelve years without thinking about car payments. My sister-in-law, Karen, gave me several car air fresheners in my Christmas stocking but my teacher aides (Hanna and Chelsey) say I shouldn't use them because my Honda still has the new smell. I hope that lasts awhile.

I owned my Toyota Corolla for almost seven years but it was three years old when I bought it. After a month or so, I never washed it- you can't see dirt on beige colored cars anyway. This time, I determined to spend time keeping my car clean, inside and out. I went to Wal-Mart and picked up some Armor All cleaning products along with a special washing sponge and a special micro fiber drying towel. I even googled the best way to wash a new car; never when the car is hot, always out of the sun, start at the top, no ammonia on tinted windows, never let it air dry, etc. And so, yesterday morning, I gave my Honda its first bath and I think I did a pretty good job.

Well, I thought I did a good job until I saw it out in the sun later in the day. There were places I missed and even with the Armor All window cleaning wipes, I saw streaks and water spots. My new car doesn't look brand new any more, even though I'm doing my best. This is the bad thing: I have to admit that it bothers me. All those little imperfections are drawing my attention even though I am trying to ignore them. It was so perfect on the lot of Russell and Smith Honda just twenty-two days ago. Now, its flaws are evident and I'm distracted.

When I look at myself in the mirror, I see my Honda all over again. I'm not referencing the physical mirror but the spiritual glass. Every little sin and flaw jumps out at me. Every careless word and deliberate thought better left unthought rears their ugly heads. I want the newness I felt as a newborn Christian. I recall the line from the hymn we sang when I was a kid, O For A Closer Walk With God:
Where is the blessedness I knew, when first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view of Jesus and His word?
But we don't stay newborns forever, just like all new cars become used cars as soon as you drive them off the lot. Even though I struggle with sin and my disappointment with myself, I know there is hope. First John 1:7 tells us that, ''If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.'' (NIV) 
The Lord sees me like I saw that Honda the first time, new and perfect and unmarked. Scholars tell us that action of purification in 1 John is ongoing and continual, or as I've heard it, like windshield wipers. The grime and scars of this world won't stick to me because their constantly being washed away by the blood of Jesus. So, I'll never have to check the Kelly Blue Book value of my soul, in spite of my own at times self loathing: I know the price that was paid for me is still valid. I'll be new until the day I die.

Applicable quote of the day:
''There is a spiritual hunger in the world today- and it cannot be satisfied by better cars on longer credit terms.''
Adlai Stevenson

God bless,
Steve
Luke 18:1
http://www.hawleybooks.com/
E-mail me at steve@hawleybooks.com