Bugs and dust covered our windshield as we drove into the car wash. Within seconds, the glass was coated in magical pastel colors. Multi-hued foam swirled in mesmerizing, iridescent patterns. I wanted to stay there in that soapy cocoon, savoring the thrill of being wrapped in a rainbow.
But then… The brushes started whirling, mixing the beautiful colors into a yucky, muddy brown. Moments later, water rushed down on us, washing away all trace of suds. And then… our view cleared, and we drove out into a bright blue-sky day. Later in the afternoon, after a spring rain, our sparkling clean windshield framed a perfectly clear view of the real thing…a bright, seven-stripe rainbow arching across the sky.
Had I stayed in that sudsy artificial rainbow, I would have missed the vibrant colors of God’s promise in the heavens.
Way too often I’m content with enjoying something good rather than going through the yuck it takes to get to something great. I’m an introvert, so hiding in a nest of pillows and blankies with a cup of tea and a good book is comfortable and familiar, but also shallow and artificial. When I push myself out of the nest and into time with friends, I’m always rewarded by the laughter, sharing, and encouragement only found in personal interaction. Sometimes, God nudges me out of comfiness to call a friend who’s hurting. I could so easily make excuses. I don’t know what to say. What if she doesn’t feel like talking? What if my bumbling words make things worse? But when I shove my way through the excuses and make the call, even if I don’t have the right words, there is so much peace in knowing I’ve made myself available for God to use for His purposes.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a few “good” reasons for not setting apart time with God every day. Maybe your good reason is a job, kids, laundry, that novel you want to finish, or the need to hit the snooze button one more time. These are all good things, but they can keep us from something better if we don’t organize our priorities right. Remember Mary and Martha? Martha wanted to cook for the people who’d come to her house to listen to Jesus. Mary chose to step away from the stove and sit at Jesus’s feet. What did Jesus say? “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things.” [Not bad things!] “But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Wouldn’t life be good if we could just stay in bed all day, watching romcoms and munching on jelly-filled donuts? Sounds lovely…until we picture the end result. Our imaginations can easily conjure an “after” photo resulting from 30 days of lazy indulgence and compare it to our image after a month of healthy eating and (sometimes painful) regular exercise. We don’t reach Great…physically, spiritually, or relationally without pushing through some yuck until we get to that beautiful, rain-washed joy that comes with obedience.
Is there a good that’s keeping you from a Great today?
