Seeing through dirty windows

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

After days of rain, the skies cleared this afternoon, allowing the sun to shine down on my screen porch windows, highlighting their blemishes. Over the past few months, pollen and dirt blew through the screens, causing spots to form on the windows as the rains dried. When the days are cloudy, the marks are barely visible, but when the sun is shining, the murkiness is clearly evident. 

Our lives are often like these dirty window panes. We don’t always see the distortion, and seldom take the time to self-analyze and improve ourselves. It’s only when the Son shines through that we can more readily observe the ugliness that maligns our view and better recognize our need for our Savior’s cleansing touch.  

Recently, a dear friend of mine has been dealing with an oppressive work environment that has left her exhausted, defeated, and physically sick, at times. After months of encouraging her to seek employment elsewhere, she finally agreed, and together, we worked on updating her resume and cover letter. While she knew her situation was bad, it may have been easier to ignore the damage it was causing than to work to correct it.

Change is hard, no matter how desperately it’s needed. We will frequently do almost anything to avoid disrupting our sense of normalcy, no matter how abnormal and unhealthy such standards may have become.

Whether it’s bad habits, recurring sin, or even fear of change that holds us down, we must remember that our Savior longs to bless us and make us clean again. The devil will use every weapon in his arsenal to distort our view and prevent us from living the fulfilled existence that God longs to provide.

Too often, we allow ourselves to settle for the way of least resistance as we hold onto the muck that accumulates in our lives. Doing so keeps us from following the path our Savior wants us to travel with Him. 

I’ve often rationalized bad situations by believing that God chose them for me. The truth is, I paid the consequences of poor decisions by seeking my way rather than my Creator’s. How often do we listen to the voices in our heads rather than seeking guidance from above? Much too frequently, our choices make for a troubled journey rather than a smooth trip.

Life can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. By consistently seeking God’s plan and purpose, we can find His peace and clarity in even the most trying of circumstances.

The apostle Peter took a step of faith when he walked out of his fishing boat and onto the rough seas. As long as he kept his eyes on his Savior, he was able to walk on the water. It was only when he looked down at the waves and became fearful that he started to sink. 

It’s easy for us to look at that story and criticize Peter for his anxiety, but we, too, have a tendency to take our eyes off our Savior. We frequently let our fears restrain us from seeking our potential in Christ. Imagine how much more we could achieve if we would only trust His sustaining power to move us forward and into His plans. 

The apostle Paul reminds us, “For the spirit of God does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) Oh, that we all could be empowered with God’s strength in such a way.

We don’t have to keep looking through dirty windows at a dismal future ahead. With Christ’s atoning blood, we have already been washed clean. It’s our own distorted vision that holds us back. Through God’s grace, we are fully equipped to move forward into a brighter tomorrow.