Dear Church Family,

This past week, we had the chairs at the Crossroads Center professionally cleaned. Over the years, they had collected layers of spills, food stains, and countless handprints—some visible, some unnoticed. Though we had wiped them down occasionally, it wasn’t until a deep cleaning took place that we truly saw how much dirt had built up. Watching the cleaner empty the murky water from the steam vacuum was shocking. We had no idea how much grime had accumulated!

Isn’t that how sin works in our lives? We might recognize and address the obvious stains—harsh words spoken in anger, a selfish act, or a moment of dishonesty. But beneath the surface, there are often hidden layers of sin we fail to acknowledge. Over time, these unchecked sins accumulate, dulling our spiritual vibrancy and distancing us from God.

David understood this reality when he prayed, “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” (Psalm 51:2, ESV). Like those chairs, we need more than an occasional surface wipe—we need the deep cleansing that only Christ can provide through prayerful repentance.

1 John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God desires to purify our hearts, to remove even the sins we have ignored or justified. When we come before Him daily, humbly seeking His cleansing, He washes us anew, restoring our joy and drawing us closer to Him.

Prayer is a vital part of this cleansing process. It is not simply a task to check off our daily list, but an opportunity to come before God with honest introspection. Prayer is honest relationship. It is far more than mere request, but a heart to listen, as we discussed last Sunday in the Jewish “Shema” that begins with “Listen…” 

In prayer, we allow the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in our lives that need repentance. As we confess and seek His forgiveness, we experience His renewing grace. Just as the cleaner’s steam vacuum extracted years of hidden grime, prayerful repentance removes the weight of sin we may not even realize we are carrying.

Let the cleaning of those chairs be a reminder for us all: regular maintenance is good, but only deep, intentional cleansing can truly restore. May we not let sin build up unnoticed in our hearts. Instead, let us seek the Lord in honest, repentant prayer, trusting in His promise to cleanse and renew us. Amen!

Loving you all, 

Michael