Pastor's Corner: Power washing
Does anyone else think that power washing is the most satisfying work around the house?
I actually look forward to using the power washer in the spring every year. This spring, I got out the 3.5 horse power Briggs and Stratton 2000 psi power washer. I changed the oil, put in a new spark plug and installed a new trigger and wand because the old one broke. After a few straining pulls it started up just fine, even after a long hard winter in the garage. I have a 50-foot pressure hose and an adjustable nozzle for all sorts of practical uses. (Can you hear the Tim the Tool Man Taylor grunt in the background?) Let’s get to it!
First, the siding on the house. I washed off grit and dirt and mold and also some beginnings of spider nests. Oh, so satisfying! Then on to the patio and the deck and the yard furniture. Next thing I knew it was four hours later. Time flies when you are having fun. As I was doing this work I was reminded of some very powerful spiritual lessons of our faith. We all need to be washed. Do you remember the old church hymn Jesus Paid it All?
Jesus paid it all
All to him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
I found myself humming this old hymn as I was using the power washer. Jesus is the ultimate power washer. He can clean anyone no matter how much dirt and debris one is wearing. By His power we can come clean and live abundantly.
Does that mean life will be perfect, without problems or dirty messes? No. But it does mean that that we have His power to overcome sin and death. That is tremendously satisfying to know.
One of my favorite church services in my former congregation was the baptism service. Our tradition celebrated baptism by full immersion. It was normally done at the end of the service in a big tank in the center of our stage. People who were being baptized lined up, walked down into the tank and a pastor then would say words such as “I baptize you in the name of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.” The pastor would explain that this was an outward expression of an inward conversion as he “dunked” the person.
Baptism symbolizes the death to sin as you get immersed, then as you come up you are raised in a new life in Christ. It was always such a powerful moment for everyone in attendance. It represented the actual power washing that Jesus provides to the believer.
Being a part of someone’s changed life was, and is, so satisfying. Actually, more satisfying than using my Briggs and Stratton power washer!
May the cleansing power of Jesus be evident in your life.
Jesus paid it all
All to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone.
— Elvina M. Hall 1865
Rev. Daniel Whiting is the retired executive pastor of Clarkston Community Church (Church of God Anderson).
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Pastor's Corner: Power washing
