The plastic bag held something white and lumpy. The label said "ground beef."
Today my new refrigerator was delivered, but first I had to muck out the old one. Unpleasant finds included the freezer-burnt beef, moldy leftovers, and liquified veggies. They were once fresh and tasty and healthful, but I shoved them to the back, forgot about them, and let them rot.
How much more important to muck out my soul!
Jesus saved His harshest words not for those living in sin or even for those who crucified Him - but for those who claimed to be devout. "'Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness'" (Matthew 23:27-28).
If I don't regularly muck out my soul, good things can fester. A fresh love of righteousness can burn into a frigid judgmental spirit. A tasty joy for God's Word can mold into sour legalism. A healthy confidence in God can liquefy into putrid pride.
Lord, shine Your light into my soul, show me sin and hypocrisy, and help me muck it out!Labels: Matthew 23