DIRTY WINDOWS

Dirty Window
by Ted Simons

Let me explain: I started driving in northwestern Kentucky. So as I began driving I was used to the trees, hills and valleys that go along with that region. Why does that matter? Because when you’re driving east or west in Kentucky, you’re not usually staring down the sun. When I moved to Oklahoma for school and now here to serve at the Third & Kilgore Church of Christ? Oh. My. Word. When I take my daughter to daycare or after I’ve picked her up it doesn’t matter – I will be staring into the sun the whole time. With a normal windshield this drive into the sun doesn’t matter so much. If your window is dirty, however, this drive becomes exceptionally challenging. All those streaks that you didn’t really notice before are exposed and now become a key factor in challenging your line of sight.

I have a phrase with my kids: “It’s not about how good or bad you are; it’s a question of are you holy or unholy?” I started asking that question because I had too many times where I would be trying to study with a teen about salvation and they would look at me with a confused expression and say, “But I haven’t done anything really bad?” They didn’t understand their need for salvation because they thought they were good people.

As we go through life, we may think to ourselves that everything is ok and that life is working just fine. But when we’re exposed to God’s holiness, it becomes apparent of just how far we are. It doesn’t matter how many ‘good’ things we do or how ‘good’ we think we are. Our measurement isn’t in this world. Our goal is to be holy, as he is holy (1 Peter 1:16). Because unless we’re made holy by Christ, we’re driving through this world with a dirty window. We may think we’re ok, but when God’s holiness shines through it will show us the reality.

THIRD AND KILGORE CHURCH OF CHRIST