“Washing My Car”

Something I really love to do is to wash my car. I have been this way ever since I first fell in love with cars ~ and believe me that was when I was very young. Quickly, my love for cars turned into the desire to collect them. It wasn’t long until I discovered, “But to the sinner He giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that He may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.” When I saw this was not going to be any joy to me, I quit collecting cars.

During this time, the Lord gave me the belief that it was possible to own something valuable without a loan from a bank. And so, I began the long process of learning to wait upon the promises of God ~ with great passionate patience.

I’m happy to say that the Lord has fulfilled my automotive desire with the beautiful Dodge van that I drive today. The license plate on it says “PRAY POD.” God got me the car, and He also provided me with an amazing name to put on it. For over a year, it has become my portable prayer room, and is such a joyful place to pray.

Today it was time to have the car washed and waxed. As the auto detailers were completing the finishing touches, I realized how much care they were taking with every little task. It reminded me of the concern that God has taken this week in the details of my inner spiritual life. God has been washing and scrubbing me internally with such care. I am constantly amazed at His loving and gentle ways!

The Bible says that God’s people erred in their hearts and they did not know His ways. The ways of God are so intimate and gentle, one can’t know them from a distance. The only way we can really learn the ways of God is to let Him wash us completely. Which brings me back to the car wash…

I’m having my car washed today even though, according to the clouds billowing overhead, it might rain very soon. So it is with my spiritual life. I want to repent and have God’s presence cleanse me. I may get the dirt of sin on me very soon. How precious it is to stay internally clean. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. It just takes a little light to shine brightly in complete darkness.

If our light is to shine in San Francisco, then we must make it bright with the love of the fire of the Holy Ghost. Lord, wash and cleanse us that we may be clean ~ so that our city might smell the sweet savor of Your cleanliness. Oh, how much I love San Francisco!