The Ugly Sofa - March 27,
2001
This morning I was driving back from a quick run to
the corner gas store when I passed a small sofa patiently
waiting beside the road for an exciting fieldtrip to the
dump. Not only was it old and used, this was one ugly
sofa. I could tell that even when it was new, it was
still ugly. My first thought was, if I were these people
I'd be embarrassed to leave that thing out for all the
world to see. Not only because it was so ugly, but
because for some unknown reason someone had the poor
taste to buy it in the first place. There must be some
disposal service that will back up to your house and
discreetly load up those icky items so no one will be the
wiser. Maybe you could slip a twenty to the driver just
to make sure he doesn't talk. Then no one would have to
know about your past shopping indiscretions.
Aren't you glad God doesn't make us pile our sins out
beside the road for his disposal service. Your neighbors
would drive by and glance over at your stinking pile of
impure thoughts, selfish decisions, and assorted worldly
waste. No, God will come right to your heart and take
away anything you ask Him to in his big garbage truck of
forgiveness. No need to slip Him a twenty to keep Him
quiet, His service is completely confidential. And unlike
our local service, He isn't available only one day a
week, He is open 24 hours every single day, even
holidays!
Are sins of your past stacked up around your life so
you can hardly move? How about that new pile that has
appeared since yesterday? What are you waiting for? God
is ready, willing and able to take that load out of your
heart and life. Ask Him to forgive you and it is gone,
just be sure to let Him take it away. Don't stand playing
tug of war with your old sins, because God will let you
keep them if you really want to. Release that grip and
forget the idea that you might need this again someday,
just let Him have it. Your neighbors don't need to know
and you'll have all this extra room you can fill up with
new stuff. This time you can do your shopping at the
Heavenly Outlet Mall and stock up on treasures that will
never go out of style ... not for all eternity.
"
