A pile of old rubbish!

 

I know many of you heard or saw in the news, about the piece of modern art that was sold for over five million dollars. Displayed in a gallery was a banana stuck to a canvas by a piece of sticky tape and bidding at the auction reached that astronomical figure as it was finally purchased. Really, I hear you say!

As I was relating this to someone they told me of a similar and true story. In another gallery an artist had displayed a pile of rubbish in a corner of the main area, spotlighted and much photographed. The real problem was that nobody had told the cleaning lady who carried out her work after the gallery was shut and everybody had left. That first evening of the new exhibit she came to work and was, as usual, meticulous in her work and so showing due diligence, started her cleaning work. As she approached the pile of rubbish with her bin bag ready, she proceeded to clear away that pile of rubbish in the corner. Completing her night’s work she went home knowing that the gallery was spotless with no dust anywhere and having a pride in her job well done.

Imagine the scene next morning when the staff arrived, no exhibit in the corner, the art work all gone. After investigation it was realised that the cleaner had thoroughly cleared it all away. To which I could hear her saying, “I was just doing my job luv!” Fortunately for the gallery they got all the photographs together and painstakingly and accurately put in a new pile of rubbish in the same corner exactly as the first one.

What got me thinking was that God is able to spotlessly clean away the rubbish in our lives as we truly repent of the sin that clutters and spoils our lives. Just as in the story though, because we are broken people, the sin in our lives comes back and the rubbish returns. But because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and our repentance of sin, we are forgiven. Luke 15:10 says, “I tell you there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”