But now make sure you shed such things: anger, rage, spite, slander, abusive language. And don’t go on lying to each other since you have sloughed away your old skin along with its evil practices for a fresh new you, which is continually renewed in knowledge according to the image of the One who created you. (Colossians 3: 9-10 The Voice)
The last stop during the community garage sale in my area, brought a surprise. I spied several small vases that would be perfect for our women’s club Mother’s Day outreach project.
“How much is this vase?” I asked.
“You can have all of these for a dollar,” the lady said as she motioned to three or four vases.
“I’ve been looking for vases to take to some charities for Mother’s Day since we are giving them flowers,” I said.
Her husband added more items. They filled a box with various sizes of vases, a large drinking glass and a glass pitcher. Much more than I needed but I decided I would donate the unwanted ones to another charity. One dollar paid for the filled box.
At home, the vases stayed in the garage. The smudged pitcher and glass went into dishwater so they would be clean before I donated them.
As I scrubbed away the grime, two treasures appeared. Soap and water transformed the grubby glass into an ideal one to drink from each day.
What I thought was a dull, plain pitcher became a light blue treasure with flowing lines and circular designs in the glass. It was better and much cheaper than ones I had seen in stores.
Only by cleaning the outside of my soiled purchases, did I recognize their value.
Greed, lying, addictions, anger, abusive language, gossip, resentment, worry, envy, … smudge and contaminate lives. The world tarnishes and hides the treasure inside. But Jesus can cleanse and set apart those who believe in Him to reveal the treasures of new lives.
Father, thank you for creating new lives out of our old, tarnished ones. Amen
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