Do you have Spring Fever?

I think I may have a touch of Spring Fever.

I am antsy and more scatter-brained than usual. I want to be active, preferably outside. And I have a desire to clean…scratch that…I have a desire for everything to already be clean!

I made the terrible mistake of googling spring cleaning tips and I discovered things to clean that I have NEVER even thought of cleaning before. For example, I have NEVER ONCE washed down my walls (I hope I am not the only one). It has made me feel that no matter how hard I try, the house will never be really clean. Thanks a lot, google!

I have been building up my supplies with things like bleach, white-vinegar, baking soda, and apple-cider vinegar but every time I think I have every possible cleaning supply option, I read about something else I need like rubbing alcohol. Now I feel like I am just smearing the dirt around when I am wiping things down. Not to mention the fact that even if I do get things to a sparkling shine, it won’t last long.

I share my cleaning frustrations because it reminds me of how the weight of sin impacts our lives. The dirt, grime, and stains are good representation of our sin. It is so hard for us to wipe it all away and make it clean. We will miss spots and those spots grow. Dust accumulates and can’t be prevented. We track in dirt and mud on our shoes and clothes. We get mildew and hard water stains in the shower. Food crumbs on the counters and floor. Stains on the carpet and furniture. It is part of life. We are messy people. We can come clean and repent but we will sin again tomorrow, just like our house will be dirty again tomorrow.

Thankfully we have Jesus who willingly comes in to clean up our sinful messes. Not just today’s mess but yesterdays and tomorrows. He washes us clean, whiter than snow. Now, that’s clean! And way better than a spotless shower.

What is your current relationship with cleaning? Do you try to clean but end up feeling like you are falling short? Ever just get done cleaning something and it gets dirty before you even put the supplies away?

Do you ever clean like a crazy person before visitors come over, trying to make a good impression?

Are you ready to surrender your mess to Jesus? Do you believe he can clean you up? If not, why don't you believe it?

Scripture

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Psalms 51:7

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. Ezekiel 36:25

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Psalm 51:2