word wash

When outbursts of anger and drips of gossip
  are dribbled down the front of my shirt
and beneath them I see the stubborn stains
  of a critical spirit, a judgmental attitude
  pride and ambition
When my shoes grow heavy
  with worldly gumbo –  profanity-laden talk
  and suggestive humor,
the backs of my legs
  spattered with  TV levity, erotica,
  web-surfing and mouse-play
When, on close inspection
  even my sleeves and collar
  are dingy with anxiety, fear
  negativity and unbelief
It’s time to visit the Word Wash

Blot the dribbles
  “Against you and you only have I sinned...”
Pre-wash the stains
  “Cleanse me with hyssop...”
Scrape off the mud, spot-wash the spatter
  “How can a young man keep his way clean
   By living according to Your Word.”
Take it all off and imbue with Word water:
  “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth...”
soak, lave, slosh
  “Be anxious for nothing...”
scrub
  “Perfect love drives out fear...”
rinse
  “...cleansing her by the washing with water
  through the Word and  to present her to himself
  as a radiant church without stain or wrinkle
  or any other blemish.”

(NIV Scriptures - Psalm 51:4,7; Psalm 119:9; Philippians 4:6; 1 John 4:18; Ephesians 5:26,27)

© 2004 - V. Nesdoly