My Dirty Stove

When we left Washington State for Florida while were traveling in our RV, we spent a night in the small town of Russell, Kansas on I 70. The next morning as we prepared to leave, I noticed our RV faced the south bringing the early morning sun glaring through the window opposite my tiny kitchen.

Now, I have to say I consider myself a fairly good housekeeper, generally keeping the RV and my house clean. I love nothing better than the fresh smell of Pine-Sol. I moved closer to my stove and to my dismay I saw spots of grease, splatters of chocolate pudding from the night before, a layer of dust, and other areas of unknown grime. Why hadn’t I noticed that before?

The brilliant sun shone on the surface of the stove revealing a residue of filth. I was displeased my stove was so dirty. I certainly wouldn’t want the people in the neighboring RV to see it.

Then John 3: 19-21 popped into my mind. “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deed will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

I had to hide my dirty stove. I couldn’t have my friends or family seeing it. But I thought—I can clean this offensive thing. I got out the 409, paper towels, and got to work. After a good scrubbing, I was pretty pleased. Ahhh, now I didn’t mind the neighbors seeing it.

That stove is like me when I harbor secret sins. The “Son” light of God’s Word shines on me, but I want to remain in the darkness so no one will see my sins. But as soon as I allow the light of God’s Word to shine in my life and give Him my offenses, I don’t have anything to hide.

Just like the good soil in Jesus’ parable of the farmer and the seed. A light shone in men’s eyes and hearts.  They believed and produced a good crop without shame. Lord, grant that we may allow the light of your love to shine upon on our sinful hearts to make us spotless and to set us free.