I woke up with a deep sense of anticipation. I had an important meeting at a
renowned university that morning, and since I hoped to establish some good
contacts at the meeting, I chose my clothes carefully. I didn't put my tie and
suit coat on right away however, but placed them carefully over the top of my
dresser until it was time to leave for work. I didn't want one of our many pet
birds to "decorate" them!
Even as I placed them there, I cast a wary eye at the bird cage on the dresser.
Rocket, one of our cockatiels, was in isolation in our bedroom due to an upper
respiratory infection. But she was securely locked in her cage. Surely my
clothes would be safe! And with this thought, I went on downstairs for
breakfast.
It took me a good hour to drive to the meeting site in the next town, and once I
had arrived, I hurried to the indicated room to deposit my coat and brief case.
I was still a few minutes early, but there were already several people ahead of
me. I had never met any of them, and I couldn't help but wonder why none of them
came up to greet me! But since finding a restroom was far higher on my list of
priorities at the moment than making new contacts, I dismissed this as
insignificant. When I got back from my restroom trek, I would simply introduce
myself!
Before returning to the meeting room, I decided to check and see if my tie was
straight. Imagine my horror to see a brownish-green streak running the length of
my tie! "Rocket!" I exclaimed. I had forgotten that my wife was in the habit of
letting her fly free in the room every morning! Obviously she had experienced
her moments of freedom while I was eating breakfast!
As I cleaned the ugly spot, I couldn't help but laugh at what the other
attendees must have thought of me. No wonder no one was eager to introduce
themselves! I carefully buttoned my suit jacket, trying to hide the wet spot by
shifting it behind the buttons. Now, instead of a loud tie, my fellow meeting
attendees would only be able to admire a crooked tie that was shy about its
right side! It worked. As soon as I came back to the meeting room, people came
to talk to me. The next time I meet with them, however, I will make sure to wear
a turtle neck!
That same evening, Rocket was given another few minutes of freedom in the
bedroom, and when my wife went back upstairs to put her to bed, she couldn't
find her! Several minutes later, the errant cockatiel was finally
located-perched on top of my tie rack! As far as I was concerned, there were
only two choices: Move those ties to a safer location, or move that bird OUT of
our bedroom!
It is amazing how one spot of yuck will make you stand out in a crowd. "What a
weirdo!" They all cry. "Why is he walking around with bird droppings on his
tie?" Yet if EVERYONE were walking around with bird droppings on their tie,
nobody would even notice! Sin has the same effect in the universe. Our world is
riddled with sin, but since it is so common, hardly anyone notices it anymore.
God, however, the One who is pure, notices! "There is no one righteous, not even
one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned
away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not
even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The
poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and
bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways,
and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their
eyes." (Rom 3:10-18 NIV)
This is why Jesus came to our planet, to show us the way out! He died so that we
could live. He was resurrected on the third day and He shares His resurrection
power with all of those who accept His offer of eternal life. "I pray also that
the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to
which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the
working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him
from the dead." (Eph 1:18-19 NIV)
He loves you, no matter what kinds of spots are on your tie! He doesn't even
care what kinds of spots are on your Life! He loves you so much that He
willingly died for you: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and
only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save
the world through him." (John 3:16-17 NIV)
Friend, those spots can only disappear if you accept His cleansing power in your
life. Since He desperately wants you to be His friend, it comes down to two
simple choices: "Do I prefer my spots or will I take the risk and let Jesus be
my friend?" Making earthly friends always means taking risks. Not so with Jesus!
On the cross, He proved Himself to be the truest friend you could ever have.
Wow! What an unbelievable love! Will you accept His gift of friendship today?
Tide may be good for ties, but a spot free life is only available through Jesus:
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12 NIV)
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.