My Coffee/Chocolate/Coke Cup
by Steve Ridgell on Jun.14, 2010, under Hope
One of the ladies in my office washed my coffee cup this morning. And no, I didn’t ask her to do it. Evidently she was appalled by the fact that sometimes I drink coffee out it, and other times hot chocolate. I use it to drink diet coke, and for my hot tea. She was disturbed that I do not wash it each time. She reminded me that rinsing out a cup is not the same as washing it either. The condition of my cup never really bothered me before. I figured I drank enough hot beverages to kill any lingering germs. Until I saw how clean it was. I was amazed, happy, and grateful.
For many of us, our life can resemble my cup. I have stains from things I have done that I should not have. Then there are those things I should have done but didn’t. Mix in the poor choices, the bad thoughts, and the judgmental feelings. Pour in the stress of jobs, the pressure of relationships, and the uncertainty of our world. And sometimes we try to rinse out the mess of our lives, but we know something is still missing. We are still not right.
Jesus came to this earth to clean up the mess of our lives. To forgive the wrongs, to pay the price for our bad choices, and to free us from the addictions and expectations of a culture that just doesn’t really work for our lives. He offers a clean life of purpose, hope, joy, and peace. He changes lives – not just a little rinse job so the outside looks better – but real, genuine new life.
Maybe you have never realized life doesn’t have to continue the way it is now. You know deep down inside that it has to be better… different somehow. Jesus can do that for you. And, if you let him cleanse you, you will be amazed, happy, and grateful.
I know this because he did it for me. Just like he can do it for you.
Blessings,
steve
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Several years ago, I stopped one day to reflect on how my attitudes and performance as a Christian were progressing. They weren’t. I wondered why. Then one morning when my hand with one finger displayed flew out my car window to indicate my displeasure to a driver who cut me off in traffic. I thought about God and me, and how my action reflected on Him. Now, my normal routine was to sweep all these sins into one pile at the end of the day and have Him forgive them in mass with the obligatory, “forgive me of all my sins.” Into the “dumper” they went. But guess what, the next day, same group of sins all over again, no progress. Analysis: Most of my sins were against people who clearly deserved what they got from me. Really? No wonder there was no improvement over time.
So, I got His message, loud and clear. Today, whenever I know I have sinned, I own it, go IMMEDIATELY to God’s throne for forgiveness, whether for thought or deed. Guess what? The frequency of sin drops way off. Hand stays in the car. I give them what I want from Him, grace and forgiveness. And at the end of the day, no “pile” to deal with, just praise for growing me and making me like His Son.
Your cup washing blog reminded me of all the washing I required before I started going to Him IMMEDIATELY and stopped blaming others for my sins. Many of my “pet” sins are gone, gone! Praise God! Thought I’d share.
Thanks to our Gracious Son of God Jesus Christ for loving us and granting us to eternal Heaven Praise The Lord!
Thanks for sharing. We have all had those moments when we realize what God is really calling us to do with our lives. blessings.