Dusty Roads
I raised my hand in the traffic-cop-stop gesture causing the driver of the van coming toward me at about 30 mph to slow to a crawl. I gave the driver a thumbs up and a big smile as s/he went past and continued to move along more in line with the campground’s posted speed limit of 15 mph.
The campground where I am staying this week has winding gravel roads which create a great deal of dust if not travelled at 15 mph or less. Most people pass by the open windows of parked campers with a good deal of respect for the dust created by their vehicle when passing by. These are true and noble campers, the ones who have experienced their own irritation with disrespectful drivers who circle the campground at twice the speed limit with no regard for the dust that will invade RVs and tents making an otherwise pleasant camping experience, unpleasant.
Our journey can sometimes be hampered by those who are going breakneck speed through life stirring up dust storms that leave a hazy film and dirty residue over what is clean and pure. The campers here in this place, will soon pull up stakes and head for their permanent home. They will no doubt clean the dust off their camper or tent, wash a ton of laundry, and put away the camping-specific equipment.
We too, who believe in Jesus Christ and have accepted him as our Lord and Savior, will, at some point pull up stakes and head for our eternal home. The dustiness of our journey will be washed clean forever, we will be given a new robe that never fades or grows old and worn, and we will put off the things of earthly life that we no longer want or need. Things that leave us feeling dusty and dirty even when Jesus has made us clean and pure: sickness, memories of abuse, unproductive labor, parting sorrow, unkind words, failure, and so much more.
Jesus told Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no part of me.” You might be feeling a little dusty and dirty from the your journey in life. Perhaps the way you have been treated has been less than holy. Remember that you have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, and there is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Pull up stakes, dust yourself off, and remember there is coming a day when you will not only be washed in the blood of the Lamb, but you will be washed and robed by the Lamb, himself, who has returned as the Lion of Judah.
“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Rev. 22:12-13).
Prayer:
Father, help us to ever be ready for your return, regardless of how dusty and dirty we get in this crazy, mixed up world of ours.
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