When I was young, my mom would ask me to help with the household chores. Sometimes I was reluctant, my focus still on my unfinished tower of blocks. But I would try to put my heart into it. After all, I could see that my mother was very busy. She seemed overwhelmed by a lively family of six children.
My preferred work was cleaning the windows. I would slide my squeegee again and again until I could admire the reflections on the glass. I made sure there was nothing between me and the beautiful view of the sky.
But this day my mom gave me the task of cleaning the kitchen floor. What?! Down on the floor?! No glory! No reflection! And as soon as it was cleaned, it would almost immediately get dirty again.
But I wanted to help my mom. So, with a mop that was larger than me, I worked heartily on all those dirty stains. What a job! I was proud, though, because I was doing a service, and it was hard work that my mom wouldn’t have to do.
Coming to check on me, she noticed my struggle. “Daniel,” she said, “let the water do the work!” Showing me, she passed a very wet mop all over the floor. Everything was soaked. “Now wait,” she said. After a few minutes, she encouraged me to wring out the mop very well and pass it over the floor again. She assured me, “The water loosened the dirt. You can pick it up effortlessly now.”
It looked like a miracle! The stains came right up as if by magic. Even the places where there was flour, eggs, and chocolate from our memorable pancake party the day before became instantly clean!
Years have now passed. Sometimes now I sit in silence, reading the Bible. I have a new Father and a new life. But alas, my heart is far from that of God’s Son! It seems that too much “dirt” of sin clings tenaciously to it. And how can I clean it? Then I heard the still, small voice of the Lord saying:
“Let the water do the work! Fill your heart and mind with the living water of My Word. Let it flow into every corner. Then wait. Don’t worry about so many things, just stay with Me. There you go. You can clean it up effortlessly now. My Word has done the work, and the ‘dirt’ of your sin is fading away.”
“Father, sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17 NIV).