While blowing leaves this afternoon I thought of my postman. This is a never-ending task. Tomorrow there will be more leaves in the yard and my postman will have another bag of mail to deliver. Actually he will have two because today was a holiday. In a way it is also like asking Jesus to forgive our sins. Tomorrow there will be a new batch. They just keep coming. So the question rises, “Is it all futile and why bother?”
Actually in all three cases it is far from futile. Removing the leaves prepares the yard for springtime flowers and a nice green lawn. The postman brings all manner of important items to people. And getting rid of today’s sins enhances real character development. Far from being discouraged by today’s batch we can realize intense growth, which is very encouraging. We recognize the old ones are not happening as often and the new ones come with a deeper understanding of what new heights God is taking us.
The next time you become aware of a new sin in your life rejoice. You have graduated to a higher level of communication with God. You are making great progress in understanding yourself. The day you don’t recognize a need for improvement is a dangerous day. Self-complacency is a retreat into smug self-righteousness. Now there’s a sin with which to deal.
“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18
Written by Roger Bothwell on November 12, 2008.
Image by Stergo.
Spring of Life, St. Helena, CA 94574