Cleaning Up and Cleaning Out

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

1 Thessalonians 5: 23-24

I scampered for shelter from tending the burn pile. The rumbling thunder signaled the arrival of yet another Spring storm. From my porch perch, I gazed at the darkened sky and marveled at what I saw—birds barely in view calmly soaring in and out of the clouds. With time, my eyes focused well enough to count to twenty-one. I wanted to imagine twenty-one eagles soaring above reminding me that I too could ‘soar like an eagle’ when I trusted in God’s power for my life. I knew better, though.

Buzzards, instead of eagles, cluster. Buzzards soar for hours on wind currents with barely a flap of a wing. Other large birds, like hawks, present a different style of flight. They flap their wings hard and twist and turn to catch their prey. Buzzards? Well, they’re just looking and waiting. They keep our roads and countryside clean from road kill and the possibility of the spread of disease. They’re even a protected species! I’m thankful for the important work they do in the world around me.

I certainly would never compare a buzzard, an unclean bird, to the Holy Spirit. I would, though, compare it’s work in my physical world to the work of the Holy Spirit in my inner world—keeping my heart clean! The God of peace works tirelessly and patiently as He sanctifies me through and through by the power of His Holy Spirit. The task is far bigger than what I can do in my own power. God’s Spirit brings to my attention, convicts, then provides the power for me to get rid of the refuse and live for Him. God is the Creator of all things, including sanctifying my heart and yours to live for Him—if you know Him as your Savior.

Thank you, Lord, for Your great design for caring for the physical world around me as well as the deepest parts of my heart and mind. Keep me in tune with what You are doing in my life so that You may be glorified in it.

Linda L.