Rolling in muddy puddles is what pigs are known to enjoy. The cartoon Peppa Pig has romanticized the concept, making children enjoy seeing muddy puddles, even to the point of wanting to step and jump on them.
As adults though, we know that stepping on muddy puddles dirties us. We know that it stinks and stains and hassles us later as we try to clean our shoes and clothes. But what we sometimes overlook are the spiritual puddles we continue to frolic in. Spiritual puddles that make us feel dirty, shameful, and unworthy.
Being dirtied in a spiritual puddle, and unconsciously enjoying it can be likened to having a debased mind. St. Paul the Apostle explains in his letter to the Romans, that people who have a mind corrupted by evil thoughts and desires, end up having debased minds because they refuse to hear God’s truth and obey it.
“They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” Romans 1:29-32
These are the same people who are also dead to sin. People who no longer see the goodness in life, living a zombie-like existence, and wanting to sleep their lives away. The only time they feel happy and content is when the enemy extends his hand of comfort to them. This comfort comes from committing sins that destroy not just the life of the debased person, but also of those closest to him. Think of the family members of a toxically negative person, a substance abuser, a gambler, a womanizer, or a person caught in deep debt due to consumer and luxury lifestyle addiction?
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” Romans 1:24
At the end of the day though, our Heavenly Father still finds ways to call us back to Him. Like the Father of the prodigal son, our Heavenly Father waits for us to come back so that we can again live the abundant life He has ordained for us. His redemptive love only requires that we confess and repent our sins, step away from our sinful lifestyle, and live a life that honors Him.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
And the promise of our Savior is that anytime we feel like going back to Him, we will be more than welcome to come back. He will give us a new heart, and a new slate, that will turn our lives around
“Whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37
If you are still skeptical about surrendering your life to Jesus, think about it in a practical sense. Obeying His teachings not only gives us eternal salvation, it also saves us from self-destructive habits that destroy our lives and our peace. The same self-destructive habits that destroy our relationship with our loved ones — substance abuse, toxic relationships that hurt you and your loved ones, and bad financial decisions due to materialism, covetousness, envy and negativity. Once we start following Jesus, we will put an end to the sin cycle that is just like a muddy puddle that dirties our soul to the core.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Romans 1:18-32 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you caught in an endless cycle of sin that muddies you spiritually? How can deciding to surrender your life Jesus help you overcome your situation?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you that even yet when we are sinners, you died for us. Thank you for your love, and for your standing promise of mercy and redemption. Give us the confidence to come to you, even at our darkest. Amen.
