I wanted this Easter to be a little different. I was going to approach this weekend with deliberate purposeful worship. My wife and I were traveling to Elk City, and planned to attend Easter service there. More often than not when we travel we forget something we are going to need. Having written about preparing to worship and the importance of clean white socks I carefully packed my small suit case.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, check, check, check. clean white tube socks, jeans, and button up shirt, check, check, check.
Sunday morning I started to prepare. As I washed my hair, I thought Lord prepare my mind for worship, As I shaved and washed my face, I prayed Lord let my face show your love. Brushing my teeth, getting rid of that morning breath, I said “my mouth will sing sweet praises today.” While washing my hands, “I will do good today”. I was going to fully prepare myself, and I was somewhat proud of my deliberate effort.
I went into the bedroom and after dressing reached in the suit case to grab my last pair of clean white socks. Unrolled them only to discover they were not mine. They are white, but not mine. mine are over the calf these are crew.
Two pair of dirty white socks laid in a lump near the wall. I had a choice, my own dirty socks or those clean ones belonging to someone else. A flood of thoughts came rushing into my head. I was clean but would not be if I put on what was mine own. Now overwhelmed by this simple theological truth: I was at this moment utterly dependent on another person’s cleanliness or righteousness.
Jesus said to the disciples “unless I wash you… “
I had it wrong all week. My clean socks, which I thought would show evidence of my preparation for worship, were a gift. There is nothing I can do to be worthy to even offer worship to our God.
David
