From my reading this morning: (Matthew 22-24) (becki's paraphrase)...Jesus is addressing the religious folks of his day... the scribes and pharisees... and he calls 'em "whitewashed tombs", beautiful to look at but dead bones on the inside... he admonishes them to clean up the inside and then they will be clean outside as well.
Yup, I can "look *REALLY* good, with my activities, rules, schedules, hats I don, smiles I wear, achievements I achieve, awards I receive, etc, etc, etc... and inside be dying from loneliness, shame, fear, and self-pity...
Jesus sounds the call for inside out change... As I abide in His Love, taking a good honest look at my life TODAY, Messiah is cleansing me... washing me from the inside out... flushing out the impurities, the infectious remnant of a life driven by self-will run riot... and I even *feel* clean! Sounds weird, but it's true!
Once again, it's all Grace and I'm *loving* this chilly N Florida morning and reveling in snuggly socks, soft jammies, and a crackling fire!)
