I picked up Max Lucado's book, "Let the Journey Begin," at a library booksale recently and thought the following worth passing on: (ellipses are in the original)
Most of my life I've been a closet slob. I was slow to see the logic of neatness. Why make up a bed if you are going to sleep in it again tonight? Does it make sense to wash dishes after only one meal? Isn't it easier to leave your clothes on the floor at the foot of the bed so they'll be there when you get up and put them on? . . .
Then I got married . . .
I enrolled in a twelve-step program for slobs. ("My name is Max, I hate to vacuum.") A physical therapist helped me rediscover the muscles used for hanging shirts and placing toilet paper on the holder. My nose was reintroduced to the fragrance of Pine Sol . . .
Then came the moment of truth. Denalyn went out of town for a week. Initially I reverted to the old man. I figured I'd be a slob for six days and clean on the seventh. But something strange happened, a curious discomfort. I couldn't relax with dirty dishes in the sink.
What had happend to me?
Simple. I'd been exposed to a higher standard.
Isn't that what has happened with us? . . .
Before Christ our lives were out of control, sloppy, and indulgent. We didn't even know we were slobs until we met him . . .
Suddenly we find ourselves wanting to do good. Go back to the old mess? Are you kidding?
(Romans 6:17-18 - You were made free from sin, and now you are slaves to goodness.")
Me: Max Lucado never struck me as one who might have had to battle being a slob! It's a great piece, spiritually true, too.