Recently, I waited in line at a car wash for 45 minutes. Spring temperatures had begun to melt the landscape leaving my car a muddy mess. I can usually tolerate the mud on the hood and doors, and I'm even patient with how much mud comes in the car on my kids' feet, but one thing I can't stand is a dirty windshield. I gradually become claustrophobic as the windshield closes in to encompass just the area reached by the wipers. I tend to get lost quite easily while driving when I can see clearly, so when my vision is impaired, I'm in real dire straits. Unfortunately, this seasonal phenomenon sometimes mirrors my spiritual life. Before I know it, my spiritual vision has been greatly reduced due to mucky sin in my life. Attending church on Sunday can give me a squirt of truth that wipes away a portion of the mess I've gotten myself into. But, it is by meeting weekly with my small group that I am able to put my hands on the tools that can clean the whole windshield of my soul. Like driving, I still end up taking some wrong turns even with a "clean" outlook, but my view of life is definitely clearer. For those who have not discovered God's cleansing power of forgiveness, the view can be far more obstructed. Offering a clear, Godly perspective on tough life issues can penetrate even the thickest life grime.
This month, set aside a Saturday afternoon for your small group to wash windshields at a local mall parking lot. Spread out in pairs armed with glass cleaner, newspapers, and a garbage bag. Creatively design a business card that expresses God's love and place one on each windshield after cleaning. Pray that the simple message of God's love seen through the clean windshield will give a clearer perspective to a muddy outlook on life.
