Dirty

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

I once heard a story about a girl named Dirty who had been living with the pigs, and it really struck home. It wasn’t that I had lived a dirty life, but that I had been convicted of self-righteousness and pride. I had the attitude of the brother mentioned in the story of the prodigal son. Luke 15:11-32 not only tells the tender story of the father standing at the end of the road, watching and waiting for the return of his prodigal son, who is completely forgiven and restored to the family. It also recounts the faithful brother who lived righteously and his self-righteous attitude toward his brother and father because he had never been honored or thrown a party for his faithfulness.

LUKE 15: 28-31 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ ³¹ “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Washed Clean

The truth is, we are all dirty and in need of being washed clean. We may not have literally lived in a pigpen, but if all our thoughts were on display for the world to see, we would all need a good washing. I cried for about a week after realizing how prideful and self-righteous I had been for most of my life. I felt dirty. We all need a love shower from the Lord Jesus Christ. No one is beyond restoration to Him.

Prayer

Lord, I never want to place myself above anyone I meet. The ground is level at the foot of the cross, and all are accepted by You. Put Your finger on the attitudes of my heart and create in me a clean heart and a right spirit before You. When my brother comes home, help my heart rejoice as much as Yours!

Takeaway

The Father waits, and all are welcome home.