My windows were really dirty. My office shares space with my bedroom, so I spend an exorbitant amount of time looking through these windows, and it had been months since they had been cleaned. But it was the type of dirty we just lived with—not a crisis, certainly a low priority. 

Given these non-tilt-in windows are on the third floor and we don’t have an enormous ladder, I’d given up trying to clean them myself. On Saturday, we hired someone with all the right equipment to clean them and now I can’t stop staring. They are just so clear… so clean. Why did I wait so long?

Ever gotten so used to a mess you didn’t really notice it anymore? It happens a little bit each day, as we become more accustomed over time. Then, when it’s cleaned, the extent of the mess is overwhelmingly obvious. 

My super clean windows—and the view through them—have captivated me the past few days and left me wondering… in what ways does this spotlight other messes in my life?

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. —Isaiah 1:16-17

What filthe has become so endemic that I accept it without a desire for eradication?

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. —2 Corinthians 7:1

What dirt has been ground into the fabric of my life such that I don’t even recognize its presence?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. —Philippians 4:8

And in what ways is my view obstructed by everyday crud or otherwise mundane muck?

Father, thank you for the ways you call attention to my messes. Help me to prioritize and accept your cleansing, so I can notice all of your goodness around me.