If old seasoned wood can be cleaned what about you?
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
While cleaning our old worn, tattered, and seasoned wooden fence I was amazed how the solution cleaned all of the aged mold and mildew from the wood.
As the solution touched the wood, it washed away the built-up grime and as it did it pulled back the covers to expose the wood that began to look like it did when we built the fence.
What was now old appeared to be original, except for the newly incorporated lean – as if it were an old pimp, walking with a cane – that replaced the sturdy upright posture it once had.
As usual in my daily walk, there is a story from a scriptural perspective to share in this entire process.
When one thinks of the word fence, some thoughts that may come to mind are; a barrier, hurdle or even protection and yet one might even consider fence as a separator.
From the perspective that really jarred my thinking, was how this cleaning solution rejuvenated my defense.
Yes, consider this play on words if you will. My old run down fence was how my spiritual defense may appear at times, especially when I’m being attacked from all sorts of debilitating thoughts, circumstances and other’s personal agendas-it’s like “something wicked this way comes!”
While cleaning my fence, my defense was being cleaned and rejuvenated as well.
Over a period of time, this stuff accumulates and pretty soon it builds up like bacteria, which like sin unchecked, over a period of time destroys its host.
At this point the lessons really kicked in. Just like my fence, my defense gets weaker the more I allow this bacteria/sin to live and thrive on it.
So, now the solution has to be applied all over the fence; nothing can be left untouched by the cleaning solution.
It’s not done yet!
After I cleaned the mold and mildew from the fence, I had to allow the fence to dry. Once the fence dried, I had to apply a wood and stain sealer that prevents the moisture from seeping into the wood, which allows the bacteria to grow.
Here we go! Once the sin has been removed, the affected area (person) needs to be dried out (free from sin) for a period of time. Once this has occurred, the sealer (The Word) and wood stain (The Blood of Jesus) can be applied and the treated area (soul) can begin the healing process.
This process took me and my son several hours of laborious work in the heat of the sun and yet in the presence of the Son, even though we were both exhausted a spiritual lesson was learned. Once the work was completed, we shared with pride in the new look of our old fence which offers us comfort and a welcoming sight to see.
Restore us to You, O LORD, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old, Lamentations 5:21
FOR WHO THE LORD HAS CLEANED IS CLEAN IN DEED!
