Meeting Up with Jesus

Molded Coffee “First wash the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will become clean too.” Matthew 23:26 NLT I drove home from college one fall semester to spend some time with my family. I pulled into the driveway and hopped out, giving my parents a hug. My dad opened the passenger door to grab my bag. His nose wrinkled up, eyebrows furrowed, and his lip curled. “Sis. What is that smell?” I sniffed around for a minute like a drug dog puppy in training. “I don’t smell it. What’s it smell like?” He looked at me in shock that I couldn’t smell it. “Like molded milk or something.” We dug around and found the culprit under my seat. It was an insulated mug with molded coffee on the bottom. Yes, I gagged while washing it later. I had been driving around with it for so long that I didn’t even smell it anymore. (Please pray for my husband who has this to deal with for the rest of his life.) It got me thinking that we can allow the same nasty situation to happen in our spiritual lives as well. Maybe there is an unresolved issue that has molded into a bad attitude, hateful words, or sudden bursts of anger and frustration. This mold has been growing in your life for so long that you no longer notice it anymore. Anytime someone brings it your attention you say, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The mold grows stronger, and your relationships grow weaker, suffocating from the harmful effects you continue to ignore. My friend, it’s time to clean out the molded coffee in your life. I don’t care how awful you think that unresolved issue is. It is stealing your joy and is no longer welcome to stink up your life. Jesus explains in Matthew 23:26 (NLT) that for the outside to become clean, first clean the inside of your cup and dish. We must brave the smell and mold and admit the real issue. We cannot cleanse our attitudes, speech, or actions without first cleaning our hearts and minds. Maybe you’ve tried and couldn’t seem to fully clean it yourself. Jesus is the only one who can take away the mold in your life. He willingly washes away our mold for us. He endured the cross so that every time you have the mold of sin and shame trying to creep into your life you can be washed clean by calling on his name. (1 Corinthians 6:11 NLT) That nasty mold doesn’t have to stay in your life forever! You have the choice to bring it to Jesus and let him wash you white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18 NLT) Let’s clean the inside of your cup so you can be filled with the purest love, joy, and everlasting freedom. What unresolved issue has caused mold in your life? How has the mold spread to affect you and your loved ones? What do you need to surrender to Jesus today so he can wash you white as snow?