“If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9 NLT)
I woke up a smidge late today. I rolled out of bed at 7:18, ready to face Wednesday on my own terms. As I boiled the water for the french press (slow mornings are rewarded with even slower coffee) I looked out the window and noticed the neighbor’s trash bin, lid back and catty-wampus on the curb. “Stink!” I said it under my breath. We had forgotten to roll out our bin last night, and last night there were already flies laying claim. Unfortunately, it was clear that the garbage guys had been by and I was too late. The trash in South Texas gets stinky quick and we had missed our once-a-week opportunity. It’s embarrassing how annoyed I was over this small failure, but what could be done?
The morning moved on: coffee, devotions, dishes and shower. I was just assembling breakfast when I heard the roar of the trash truck and groaned again over our negligence. Then I saw it out of the corner of my eye: the neighbor’s bin had apparently blown in the wind, not emptied as I assumed. We flew into action: Rob ran out the back to retrieve the trash as I bolted out the front door to flag down the workers. Team work makes the dream work: they happily emptied our bin and wished us a good Wednesday.
I came back into the house with dew and dirt on my just-cleaned feet, a mile-wide grin on my face. I was so overjoyed to have gotten rid of our refuse. It’s the little things when you’re forty, right? We had left worship music playing through the house and a refrain rang out as I walked in the door. “And then He ran to me, He took me in His arms, held my head to His chest and said My son’s come home again…”
It’s an old song and it’s about the prodigal son coming home: confessing his sins and being restored to all the rights and privileges of sonship. I heard the words and revelation fell over my soul: “I’m so glad for a God who takes my trash at any time.”
See, my devotions had actually been about trash that day. Levi Lusko wrote about the importance of daily repentance: not allowing the gunk and grime and shame of daily living to build up in our hearts. He encouraged the reader to take out their trash at every opportunity because stains only worsen over time; they harden and calcify. The quicker we get to them, the easier they wash out.
I have limited opportunity to take my trash to the curb. The garbage guys, God bless ’em, only come by once a week. If we fail to roll out the bin, we’re out of luck for seven more days. This is not the case with our God. He is always, endlessly ready to receive our trash! He’s waiting, with forgiveness in hand, happy to exchange our sin for righteousness. Isn’t that amazing?
“Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And You forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5 NIV)
Lord, today we acknowledge both our need to take out the trash and Your ever-willing receipt of our trash. You have given grace for us to live different. Thank You for unconditional love that receives our confession freely. Thank You for supernatural power to live different. May we be quick to identify our trespasses and repent readily; determined to live for You. Amen.