Not the most attractive photo I’ve ever taken on the beach. But an important subject.
Storms and floods have been a problem round here for most of November. Some roads are still closed. Slowly, pumps and storm drains are working to improve things. (At least until Storm Fred turns up. Wonder what “G” name will be given to the storm after that? Storm Gertie?)
Looking at the water gushing out of the pipe, it seems clean- but don’t drink it. The amount of dirt and sundry chemicals would probably be quite toxic.
We need storm drains. They deal with the dirt and disasters.
It made me think: what about MY storm drains? How do I deal with the “dirt and disasters” of everyday living? I’ve been a follower of Jesus for roughly 56 years- and the 12 years before that were in a Christian family. So I’m very privileged to have known about God all my life- and known Him in a chosen relationship for over half a century. Oh boy, that makes me feel old.
Despite that privilege, I am not yet perfect. Therefore I have had to deal with the mucky end of the stick many times. There are stains and baggage from the pilgrimage.
The easiest part of dealing with that is forgiveness: God is always willing to forgive (read the parable of the Prodigal, Luke 15 v11-32) although being able to accept that forgiveness can be harder. God will forgive me- will I forgive myself? Or those who have hurt me?
Apart from being forgiven, there are ways of draining off the waste product: and also dealing with the omission of things we should have done- but haven’t done.
- Repentance is a word often used, not always understood. Repentance literally means to “turn round.” It’s a change of mind, of direction, and priorities. Repentance allows us to “agree with God” about our true state; it implies the intention NOT to repeat the offense, plus attempting to make restitution to others where appropriate. Repentance helps us receive the reconciliation that God offers and wants.
- Praying honest, realistic prayers; reading the heartrendingly honest psalms and scriptures that show we desire to live in integrity (try Psalm 51 for one example!).
- Discovering ways of meditating, practicing holy mindfulness, using written liturgies that have helped generations of believers.
These all act as “storm drains” – but such channels be blocked up or ignored. Periodically, we should unblock our drains- perhaps a serious fast, or a period of dedicated prayer, or maybe seeking pastoral counsel from other wiser Christians. Don’t keep looking at or obsessing over the discharge from your drain! Let it go. After all, the point is to release the toxic waste, not experiment on it.
If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.
1 John 1:9-10 The Message Translation
And we WILL be transformed- to become like Jesus. That’s worth clearing the drains for!