GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS

She has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.

~Luke 7:44b NKJV

It was “Wash Day.” Elise got right to work, separating the laundry into piles.

She loaded the washer, reached for the cleaning agents, and meticulously measured the bleach, detergent, and fabric softener–pouring each into their respective receptacles. Then she hit the start button and glanced at the remaining piles.

“No!” Elise exclaimed, jamming the stop-cycle button as she realized her mistake.

She had accidentally put her business attire into the wash, along with bleach. The white clothes were still on the floor. Elise removed her permanent-press clothing and replaced them with whites, relieved she had retrieved her business attire before the bleach dispensed.

“Why did I do that?” she asked herself. Elise quickly answered her own question. “Because I was just going through the motions.”

Doing laundry wasn’t something Elise prioritized. Rather, it was a chore she did out of necessity. She didn’t mind the routine of Wash Day, but she didn’t value it, either.

MARY OF BETHANY, A WORSHIPPER

Elise poured coffee, sat, and opened her Bible. She read about Mary of Bethany who had been going through the motions of religion until Beloved Jesus rescued her from a life of sin. After that, Mary spent time with Him, and He had become everything to her.

Mary offered Jesus her most precious gift: an alabaster box with anointing perfume, which was her dowry. As she did so, her tears fell upon the Master’s feet, which she wiped clean with her hair. No longer was Mary content to go through the motions of lifeless religion. She was devoted to Jesus with every ounce of her being. She acknowledged Jesus as the Beloved who was supreme.

Mary was willing to follow Jesus even to the cross. As she anointed Him for His burial ahead of time, she hoped He would rise again. But no matter how things turned out, she wanted Him to have this extravagant gift.

LIFE-CHANGING DECISIONS OF A DISCIPLE

Elise thought about the twelve disciples. All except Judas were as devoted as Mary of Bethany. They were willing to give up their livelihoods to follow their Master. She thought about others who had shown their devotion by inviting Him into their homes, or in other ways showing Him honor. Elise must do the same.

She realized she too was a disciple, so she must be just as committed. If she truly loved Jesus, she must prioritize her time with Him.

She thought about what she would give up to prioritize her relationship with the Beloved. Elise realized that only good could come from putting Him first. She would lose nothing of importance.

Then Peter said, “See, we have left all, and followed You.”

~Luke 18:28 NKJV

WASH DAY

Elise set her Bible on the stand. “My Jesus,” she whispered, “I’ve been going through the motions. But I do love You. Remake me.”

She glanced at the laundry. Those piles would soon be clean. She hoped her Beloved would do the same for her.

“Cleanse me. Help me to recognize You paid the ultimate price—death on a cross–and You rose again, victorious over death, hell, and the grave. You did that for me. The least I can give You is my whole-hearted devotion. Create in me the heart of a worshipper. Make me a Mary.”

Gently, almost imperceptibly at first, the rain of the Holy Spirit descended upon her. The washer buzzed, but she stayed seated. It was Wash Day, and the Lord was answering her prayer.

A song of praise and thanksgiving, as well as peace unfettered, saturated her. She sang into the evening, and then, stillness permeated her soul as her Beloved enveloped her. In the silence, she felt the power of her Savior as never before.

Wash Day had come, and she received a much-needed cleansing. Elise had become a worshipper.

Are you committed to prioritizing your time with Beloved Bridegroom Jesus?

My Beloved Jesus, create within me a genuine heart of worship that is not rote. You are my all-in-all, so help me to thusly prioritize my time worshipping You.

Your Bride,

Genre: Fiction based on a true story

Copyright 2019, Revised 2023: Wash Day: Diane Virginia: All Rights Reserved