Thursday

Hairball or Hardball?

It was amazing, really. 

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If I didn’t have my feet firmly planted in the truth of Creationism, I would have called CNN to report that we’d found evolution’s missing link under my daughter’s bed. 

And what was evolving bore a distinct resemblance to my dog. I’m sure the DNA from the red hairball was a perfect match. Coated in a thick layer of dust and surrounded by a tissue explosion from an allergy season long ago, the slowly forming creature was scientifically fascinating. From a domestic standpoint, however, it was downright embarrassing

Added to my housekeeping shame was the fact that it wasn’t my husband who moved the bed away from its place against the wall and unearthed this treasure; it was the nice man we’d hired to install our replacement windows. 

And he was just beginning. 

He moved the bookshelf in the living room to reveal enough dead leaves from the nearby Ficus tree to carpet a forest. He removed the curtains from my daughter’s bedroom and succumbed to a dust-induced sneezing fit. And he moved the television stand to uncover two distinct shades of carpeting—clean and not-so-clean. 

When faced with the indisputable evidence of my less-than-perfect housecleaning, I had two choices: slide the furniture back over the top of the mess and pretend it didn’t exist, or clean it up. 

The Church of Laodicea had two choices, also. No, they hadn’t voted to install replacement windows in the fellowship hall, but they did encounter a similar problem to mine—they had neglected something, and it was time to clean it up. 

The third chapter of Revelation talks about some of the hidden messes—a lukewarm commitment to God, misplaced priorities, materialism, and spiritual apathy. And like my kind friend moved furniture so he could make improvements to my home, God lovingly slid back the curtains on areas of the Laodiceans’ lives that needed cleaning up. 

Like the dust balls under my furniture, you and I often have hidden sins and attitudes we hide from view—until the day God exposes them. And then we have a choice to make. 

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock,” Christ says. My window man entered my home because I gave him permission to make my home better. Jesus Christ asks for the same privilege. 

“If any man hears my voice and opens the door. . .” 

The only way I can have a clean house is to sweep out the messes my kind friend uncovered. The only way we can have a clean heart is to remove the hidden sins and attitudes Jesus Christ uncovers.

And the result? Much nicer than replacement windows—“I will fellowship with (you), and (you) with me.” 

So I ask: Is Christ’s Holy Spirit moving furniture around in your life today? Has he brought to mind a sin, attitude, or action that doesn’t honor him? If he has, you have two choices—turn a blind eye to the sin he reveals, or do what it takes to clean it up. 


“If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). 

So what’s it going to be—hairball or hardball? I encourage you—don’t take a soft view on sin, even “small” sins. Call them what they are (confession), turn your back on them (repentance), and walk in freedom and restoration (joy). 

Has there been a time when God revealed a hidden sin in your life? What did you do about it? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts.










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9 comments:

  1. I must admit, you had me at "Hairball." Great analogy, Lori!

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  2. Such a powerful post, Lori. Your writing style draws us in and then the Bible's truths pierce our hearts and call us to action. Praising God....and thanking you!

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  3. This is awesome Lori! It takes real talent to turn a hairball into a teaching tool. And that's just what you've done here. You were able to share a powerful truth in a humorous way and the message is spot on. Thank you for reminding us of the importance of "cleaning house" in our spiritual lives.

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    1. Angel,
      sometimes in my byline I confess to "pondering the marvelous and the mundane." It's only God that can tie the two together! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving kind words behind. :)

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  4. Dear Lori
    I am busy with a study on Revelations with is just excellent. I was gripped by our Lord warning to the church I think it was Smyrna where He commanded them for being deceptive and not listening to false prophets and Gnostics, but He had this one think against them and that was that they had wandered from their First Love. They needed to come back to Him. Today I find that so many people swallow hook, line and sinker everything what is taught in Jesus' name without testing everything like Paul commanded us to do and only hold on to the truth, never mind having that deep intimate relationship with our Risen Lord. Great post, dear friend.
    Blessings XX
    Mia

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  5. If I was a king, I would put one-dollar bills everywhere. So that when my wife cleaned the castle, she would find one-dollar bills all over the place. I mean, I am a man.

    *smile*

    Your pointing out that sins must be regretted and that one must repent is of course quite right.

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  6. I love my spiritual conviction surrounded by humor! Yes, God has been doing some housecleaning in my life in the last few months. I'm choosing to let Him work, because I do NOT want a messy heart!

    GOD BLESS!

    (Hopped over from Sharing His Beauty)

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  7. What a good example!! Thanks Lori.

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