Daily devotional, February 01, 2024 Lessons from the laundry
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"
2 Corinthians 5:17
As moms, laundry is a part of our daily lives. Homemaking experts say we should deal with it everyday so that it will not pile up on us and make us overwhelmed. Whether it is dirty laundry, laundry that needs to be unloaded from the washer or dryer, or laundry meant to be folded and put away, this chore is part of our lives and daily existence as moms.
And as I look at the pile before me, I cant help but reflect on how tackling the chore can be similar to our faith journey. Having said that I hope you could allow me to share with you today my realizations, and how it can be related to our lives as followers of Jesus:
1. Separating clothes based from their colors. One of the most important thing to remember when washing clothes is to separate the whites from the light colored, colored, and dark-colored clothes. If we mix them altogether in one load, chances are the colors will bleed, and the whites will no longer be as white as they should be.
It is the same thing with our Christian life. We need to separate ourselves from sin. We should consciously set ourselves apart for the Lord. We need to part ways with habits and people that keep us from fellow-shipping with God. When we become conscious about the fact that we are sinful, and we have company and habits that lead us all the more to waywardness, we can better avoid instances of sin.
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
2. There are two kinds of white clothes. We also have to separate the really white, whites from those that do not have any print or pattern at all. We also have to wash them separately from those that have bold patterns or have been a bit yellowish through time. Washing all kinds of white altogether can affect the color of the really white clothes.
Same thing in life. When we try to move towards God, we will physically interact with those who are already long-time believers. Since we see them as “clean” especially when compared to us, we might feel insecure and shy away. We might even see ourselves unworthy to be part of such a community.
But God tells us that we are part of it, He wants us to be part of His body – the church, and so we can enjoy the community and start living the faith. As St. Paul the Apostle puts it in his letter to the Roman Church, salvation is available to everyone who believes in Christ.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
Romans 1:16
3. We have to treat the soiled clothes separately before including them in the wash. Stained clothes need to be treated with bleach, peroxide, or whatever type of cleaning solution that will remove the mark. If we do not treat the dirt, it can seep into the clothes even more, and worse, it could stain other clothes as well. If we put the bleach or other stain removers to the full load, its stain removing ingredient can damage the other clothes that are not even soiled. Hence, super-soiled clothes need to be treated separately, usually through hand-washing, brushing, and even exposing it under the sun.
The same is true when we are trying to turn away from sin and live a life that is glorifying to the Lord. Our God will humble us by separating us from sinning, and removing our “stains” by eliminating circumstances that keep us from totally depending on Him.
And while it may be a painful process, we can rest in the Lord’s mercy and grace. We are being “hand-washed” by the Lord, and so we are assured that amid the difficulties of turning away from our sinful lives and living its consequences, we will still be lovingly cared for by the Lord.
Once we have endured, and surrendered our lives to Jesus by keeping His word and walking in His ways, God will no longer see our “stain” because Christ’s righteousness will be imputed on us.
"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:15-16
Like clothes that smell and look new after a good washing, we too can be renewed by our Savior and Redeemer, our Lord Jesus Christ. All we have to do is to repent from our sins, obey His commands, and nourish a close and loving relationship with Him. When we open our eyes to His goodness, look back to His faithfulness in our otherwise stained lives, we can look forward to a faith-filled existence. Whose hope and joy are anchored in the mighty promises of our one true, God.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 1 Peter 1:1-9 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you let your sins pile-up like a dirty laundry? Is your guilt keeping you from drawing near the LORD?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for being the merciful God that you are For giving me the chance to draw near you and be a part of your people. I love you and please inspire in me the will to turn away from sins so that I can dwell in your presence for always. Amen.