Day 115 of The Red Shoe Project was a work day! Power washing the patio, was at the top of today's list of things to do. I put on some old work clothes and RED flip flops, grabbed the power washer and headed outside.
Did I mention that I hate power washing?
That's what got me into this mess. I haven't been faithful at power washing every season (for a couple years now) and well, let's just say it was an ugly job! Dirt built up all around the pool. The nice white patio had become a dark brown. We stopped going out there to sit.
I have, however, been faithful (for quite some time now) at working with God at cleaning out my life. As the Holy Spirit has directed me, I've stopped doing things that were opposing my Christian character and putting a halt to my spiritual growth. I've chosen new friends that pull me towards God, not away from Him. I'm participating in activities that include the Lord, instead of forcing Him to look the other way. I've closed off my eyes and ears to things that promote worldliness. And I've changed my diet to include spiritually nutritious foods like worship music, prayer, God's Word, and inspirational teaching.
I know that you're thinking that this all sounds quite legalistic. So let me just say this... Like my patio, doing little to nothing to maintain my Christian character and growth didn't produce the results I wanted in my life. Nobody ever said anything to me. After all, it's not like I ever paraded people outside my home to see my disgusting, dirty patio and pool. And neither did I bring people into the depths of my heart to evaluate my degraded spiritual condition. But there comes a point when enough is enough. You just can't live that way anymore. I humbled myself and asked God to forgive me of my sins and help me get back on track.
The Holy Spirit is the
Ultimate Master of Power Washing
when it comes to the Human Soul!
Experiencing the forgiveness of sins, (regardless of how big or small the job is), is a wonderfully cleansing occurrence. No one can argue with that. It's a good thing! But God requires me to actively participate in the maintenance plan that follows, that His work in my life is not in vain. Remember, this is a Divine Partnership.
Although I haven't focussed on my backyard, the condition of my heart has been a priority for some time now. It started with a step in the right direction. The days turned to months, the months to years. All those little steps in the right direction added up to significant giant steps. I not only got back on track but I'm well down the road God has for me.
A month ago, God woke me up one morning and told me to go with my friend to a training class she was taking to learn about a Healing and Deliverance ministry called SOZO. While there, He instructed me to sign up for a personal healing session, so I did. It's happening this weekend.
After all that, I woke up one day, (today), and found myself power washing the patio. Amidst the hours of moving the washer wand back and forth, back and forth, back and forth... God spoke to me. He told me that He's seen all the work and effort I've made in what He's asked of me. And now He's going to bless me for it. He said that this SOZO session would be a magnificent internal power washing for me. Any old build up that's still remaining from my old life will be blasted away by the super-natural power of His Spirit. It will be so thorough, that I'll actually feel the difference. Truly I will be walking in the newness of all that God offers.
In RED shoes, of course.
Gail
