For almost 30 years, Tuesday was my day. For the last seven, it has been Wednesday. That's my day to take out the trash. Depending on the week, sometimes there's a lot, sometimes not so much. It always involves cleaning up after the dogs, so there is an odor about the chore. I don't particularly like doing it, but it has to be done. Can you imagine the mess if it wasn't taken out? It's always nice when the job is done.
Spiritually speaking, I also have to take out the trash. In Colossians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul writes about how the new life of the believer involves spiritual trash hauling.
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."
The news flash is this: I am human! I make plenty of mistakes, and if allowed to run rampant, they take over my life and I stink. Oh, God forgives and cleanses me, but I still need to be vigilant. I have found that my trash removal is most efficient when I am in regular prayer, Bible study, worship, and association with other Christians. This coming spring, I will have been an active Christian and church member for 50 years. That has helped me immeasurably in taking the trash out of my life.
The churches of our area invite you to be part of our trash hauling crew!
• Bruce Henderson, minister Airport Road, Church of Christ, Carson City.