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Dear Saints at Zion: March 2004
The other day Maria and I were out taking our usual walk that had not been so "usual" for awhile because of the weather. As we were approaching our street on the way back, I noticed a man scrubbing the tires on his car. He was cleaning his hub caps vigorously. He had a brush and was on his hands and knees just killing any dirt or grime that was on the tire. He scrubbed as a man that was possessed; he didn’t even look up from his task when we approached. He seemed oblivious to anybody or anything. The tires on his car had his full attention. Now I too am a man who loves to drive a clean car and when the weather finally starts warming up, I am out washing my car and Maria’s. But this car our neighbor was washing was quite different than the two that sit in our driveway. The rust on the car seemed to keep the rest of the vehicle together - it was an old Chevy. When this car was new it wasn’t even desirable, now years later a man washed the wheels on this old beat up, rusted car, even in spots where the paint was peeling on the hood with great enthusiasm. Why? I thought. Why waste his time? No matter how hard he scrubbed, or how hard he cleaned the car, it would not be worth even towing away. As I pondered on his motives for cleaning this "thing" that was trying to pass as a car, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, "You know, you’re a lot like this car. People pass by you all the time and don’t even notice you, and those that do see nothing of value. But I do."
Isn’t that true! God sees something in us that the world doesn’t see. No matter how beat up our lives have become, how messy we have made them, he values us. He sees hope, because He knows how much He loves us. Just like our neighbor with his car, God knows how much that car cost him, the memories it held for him, and most importantly, that rust bucket belonged to him. God loves us so much he gave his only Son to pay for our salvation. We belong to him. Its amazing how He takes us with all our sins and begins to clean us, wash our filth away like we were royal chariots rather than rusted shells. Hear the prophet Isaiah, "Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be white as snow!" Chapter 1:18. What the world discards as dead and worthless, God takes and breathes life into. Ezekiel saw a valley filled with dry bones, but God saw an army! God continues to wash me with His word and I am constantly amazed of His love for me. He has a plan for your life and if you will only yield to His leading you will begin to experience a cleansing from your past sins. God wants us to have a life that is filled with hope and anticaption for what God will do! Just like my neighbor when he finished cleaning his car he parked it, until he chooses to drive it for his purposes. So God cleans us for His purposes.
Please plan to attend the prayer meetings on Wednesday nights, God is doing some great things in those services. Also, don’t forget the home Bible study at Rhonda’s house (directions available at the church) starting on Friday, March 12th at 7:00 p.m. Shirley will be leading the study on holiness. It is a study that will be a blessing to you.
Washing up just fine…
Pastor Rick
