“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9 MEV)
I got that feeling! Baby, baby, I got that feeling! Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! Okay, now that you have did your best imitation of the King of Soul and you are all loosened up, ready to start your Monday morning, let’s get into the meditation. It has a story part and a scriptural part.
Late Saturday afternoon, movers came to pack and load the furniture and belongings of one of my sons who recently relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. When they were done, I had what I call a clean slate. I saw the rooms almost left empty and I could not help it. I got that feeling, that compulsion to decorate the open slate. I was like the artist who walked into a studio with his paints and found a large clean piece of canvas that was yelling, “Paint me!” I was like some of you who at your older age cannot pass by a basketball lying on the ground without picking it up and trying to regain your shooting for of days below. One more! I was like a seamstress who found an open box filled with patterns and fabrics that screamed, “Make me into something.” The clean slate! For me it was an opportunity to practice my “design on a dime” skills, and to re-purpose or re-position some items I already had in the house. I got that feeling for sure and to be honest I worked on it after I did my Sunday morning meditation. When you have a clean slate like I had, you just got to get started on the work. You know what I will be doing in my spare time, don’t you? Well, that’s the story part of today’s Mark Writes edition. Let’s get to the scriptural part.
Last week I am positive that we all had some failings. We were not failures, but we had some failings. We all had some instances where we did not think right, act right, or react right as Christians in certain situations. We all had some occasions where we fell short of the glory of God. I can say that because all sin and fall short of the glory of God. The good thing is that we don’t keep doing it over and over again. The best thing is that we, believers, we have a way to get a clean slate. The instructions are found in the opening verse, from the Modern English Version of the Bible. The Message Bible, my choir director’s favorite translation, puts it this way: “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.” You get it don’t you? Brothers and sisters, we have a way to get a clean slate. And once we have a clean slate, we can get started on the work; the work of living a more sanctified live; the work of getting progressively better in living like we came out of darkness into the marvelous light; the work that we do, not for salvation, but because of salvation. We are saved by grace through faith. And, according to what I get from James’ epistle, faith works. Today my friend, you have a clean slate! Get excited about it! Start right now practicing your righteousness skills, re-position your priorities, and see that once again you need to re-purpose your life so that others can see that you are living for Jesus and be impacted by the Christ that lives in you.
It’s a holiday, one where we can be thankful for Dr. Martin Luther King’s contributions to our nation. I know today is special, but still thank God for another day; one He blessed you to see! Ask Him from your heart to forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness. Seek a clean slate! Then take advantage of the clean slate. It will of course benefit you, but it will be of value to others as they see you work on painting you clean slate with righteousness. Have a wonderful Monday! Enjoy your opportunity today! Get that feeling! Seriously now! Be blessed!
“Every moment of your life is a second chance.” (Quoting Rick Price)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King