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There I stood, in waist deep water, hands lifted, heart stilled in the ebb and flow of the water. Beside me stood Jesus, arm around my waist, speaking so quietly I had to strain to hear over the music.

“What, Lord?” I asked, “The music is loud and I can’t hear you!”

He replied, “Focus on my voice. My still small voice.” Suddenly his voice was so clear even though I could hear the music the same, as though he was speaking directly in my ear. Relief came over me.

I love to hear His voice, my best friend, my confidant and love. Then He lowered me into the water as if baptizing me again. When I came out of the water, He began pulling off what remained on me. I felt so free, so focused, so complete.

Psalm 51:10-13 “Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a faithful spirit within me. Do not force me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience. Then I will teach your ways to those who are rebellious, and sinners will return to you.”

I wanted to share this simply so that you can understand something. No matter who you are or what you do, when you live in the world, the world gets on you. You don’t even realize it. You’re not doing it intentionally. But everything you watch on t.v., everything you surround yourself with, people who throw their cares on you instead of the Lord, it all leaves a residue on you. That’s why it’s so important to stand close to Jesus, allowing Him to wash you daily of the stuff that’s come on you. To constantly be ‘baptized’ by the Word (Eph. 5:26), and by the Spirit (Acts 11:16) so that you can present yourself holy to the Lord (Romans 12:1).

We were not made to be part of the world, but to be separate. If we look like the world, talk like the world and act like the world, we are not doing what He created us to be. It’s time to examine ourselves and ask God to wash us and make us totally His.

Wash it off,

Sandy G