Trash Day

When my son was old enough, we gave him the honorable chore of taking the garbage out of the house. I think maybe the first time he did it he felt pretty grown up, but week after week the repetitive process really got on his nerves. So he started to "forget" the chore...a lot.

A three person family can generate a pretty good amount of trash. And if you don't get it out to the curb, it piles up. The consequences then can be a simple smell at first, but that eventually attracts bugs, rodents and eventually disease. So really, this was a huge responsibility for a little guy. He just didn't see the long range consequences to the family as a whole.

It's the same with sin. Like garbage, if you don't bundle it up and kick it to the curb for God's waste management truck, it will pile up. I know, prayer and confession of sins can seem repetitive...but think of the long range consequences! When sins start piling up, they grow into bigger sins and you will find yourself so surrounded by spiritual garbage you may think, "What's the use in cleaning up at all?"

Dear reader, it is a daily chore and a heavy responsibility. If we confess our sins, He is faithful even we aren't and He will forgive us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

"Forgetting" to do this only adds to the pile and eventually leads to disease or death.

The sting of death is sin, 1 Corinthians 15:56a

Think of one little sin as a rotting potato in the bottom of the trash bin. Eventually you cannot deny something is wrong. And until you get it right with God, your life will stink!

So my question is this, have you done your chore for the day? Have you found that rotting spud in the bottom of your soul that has stunk up your life lately? Or, have you "forgotten" about confessing to the One who already knows all about you and is waiting to reconcile with you?

Don't waste another day, or minute! His mercy is new every morning, so talk to Him...He is only a whispered prayer away. And if you've never attempted this in your life, isn't it time to sign up for daily trash pick up? Here is a simple sinner's prayer...

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have piled up like so much refuse and separated me from you. I am sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

Special note to dads and husbands: the "manly" chore of taking out the garbage is an analogy of dealing with your family's sin. It is your place to make sure your family has taken care of their own sins. You have only to look to Job--a wonderful example of a dad taking out the spiritual trash!

His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually. Job 1:4-5