Create in me a clean heart, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10
A few days ago, I was looking around my house and realized that I needed some help with some of my household chores, such as dusting, cleaning my baseboards, windows and carpet. So I began my search on the internet for someone who could help a sister out.
After a few minutes of my quest, I ran across a company that was offering a special for half off of the original price of a basic cleaning package.
Great! I thought, so I dialed up the company and began my inquiry about what services would be offered with this cleaning package special that was advertised at $ 40/hr ….such a low rate.
The lady on the other end of the line began to explain to me that this package included vacuuming, sweeping, mopping and wiping down the toilets, sinks, and surface counters …..just the basic stuff.
Once she finished explaining to me what this entire package entailed, I began to explain to her that what I really needed was someone to dust, and clean my windows, carpet, and baseboards.
After a brief hesitation, she inquired of my name and I told her. She said Mrs. Cobbs in order for you to get those services you will need to purchase our deep cleaning package that is priced at $120/hr.
She went on to say, let me inform you, that depending on the size of your home, it can take up to 3 to 4 hours for us to complete the task.
I said, wow, that is a big price jump from $40/hr and I don’t think I want to pay that much.
She said well, “can I be honest?….I said of course….
She said “I am the owner of this company and I don’t know if you had the opportunity to read the reviews and testimonials about my company, but I assure you we do very good work. However, what I run into all the time is that people are in need of the deep cleaning package but they only want to pay for the basic cleaning package even though they need something more intense, but what they do not understand is that after we perform the deep cleaning measures in their home, it will not have to be done every time. We can then do what we call our maintenance package to make sure that the deep cleansing last longer and that your house stays in good shape.”
Our conversation went on for a few more minutes before I told her I would think about it and give her a call back if I decided to go with the more expensive package.
As the day went on, I thought about my conversation with the owner of the company and it reminded me of the Christian mindset. So often we are in need of a spiritual deep cleaning package from heaven in order to get to the root of our problems. We need to have some of our deepest sins and wrong perspectives removed, our minds dusted, hearts wiped clean, and our tongues washed.
However, instead of asking God to deep cleanse us thoroughly, we ask for the basic sin removal package, because like me, we don’t want to pay the cost.
Lord, I will start going to church (basic) but please don’t ask me to forgive someone (deep cleaning).
Lord, I will get off of social media for a week (basic) but please don’t ask me to stop fornicating (deep cleaning).
Lord, I will give to a charity (basic) but don’t ask me to stop gossiping (deep cleaning).
Because we know that once God starts an intense cleaning of our minds, bodies and souls…..the cost will be too high (so we think). It might cost us our jobs, money, time, and it may cost us those relationships that we are not willing to walk away from ….even though we know they are not good for us.
And for many of us losing money, time, relationships, or our high opinions of ourselves is just way too much to pay.
However, what we fail to realize is just like with cleaning company….when God rid us of our sins…..we can move from the deep cleaning package to the maintenance package which includes faith, prayer and staying in the Word so that we will not fall back into the same bad patterns. It frees us from bondage and nastiness of unrighteousness and allows us to walk in the cleanliness of holiness.
Are you in need of spiritual deep cleansing? Are you willing to pay the cost?
It might cost you a lot, but the benefits are well worth the cost.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
