“…i couldnt help but notice meticulously trimmed hedges…an intricate tiered stone fountain…flowers of every assortment and color…well manicured grounds…most elegant, most charming victorian house i’d ever seen…”
matthew 23:27
“…for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward…”
“…I nearly tripped over what seemed to be a shaggy creature…it became clear that the poor creature was the corner of a tattered old rug that had been overturned and heaped into a mound of what looked to be filthy rags.
Isaiah 64:6
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”
From the splintered coat rack, peeling wallpaper, dilapidated banister, threadbare furniture covered in dust, it is quickly evident the inside of this “house” has been greatly neglected. it is a stark contrast from the beauty and order we see on the outside.
matthew 23:27
“…ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.”
A tragedy that is too common among even saints. Neglecting THE relationship will ravage the inside of a believer. We may have it “together” on the exterior but our house can be full of dead men’s bones.
“Through the blackened smoke stains, I could make out the faces of a much younger couple posed on the steps in front of our very church. An innocent aura, their expressions were full of life. They looked familiar. I pity the unfortunate soul that must inhabit this place, I thought.”
Spiritual neglect will change you to the point where you are unrecognizable, not only to those close, but to yourself.
UNSAVORY GUESTS
mr. complacency
“A smug “gentleman,”…waistcoat missing buttons…a sullied stiff white collar and shirt…dingy tailcoat and top hat…”
Webster defines complacency as “self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies”
mrs. apathy
“face veiled behind stringy and unkempt hair…bony fingers bare long, grimy nails.”
Apathy lacks ambition and interest. Mrs. Apathy’s unkept appearance represents a lack of effort and spiritual concern.
Avaricious
(GREED)
“…an impish-looking boy named Avaricious. He wriggled in delight. A most disturbing sight.”
It craves everything yet is never satisfied. It is personified by this impish boy. He seeks only to serve the flesh.
when we no longer take care of the spiritual man, we warmly welcome guests that we would otherwise slam the door on.
menu
tea
(Steaming hot gossip. If you’d like it sweeter, add a pinch of “God bless their heart.”)
Shepherd’s Pie
(Baked golden brown, this dish really shines when you drizzle extra criticism on it. She once received a so called “healthier” recipe but Mrs. Finnegan knows best!")
roasted cynicism
(No shepherd’s pie would be complete without a hearty portion of cynicism. Roasted to perfection.)
devil’s food cake
(drenched in spirits of compromise and topped with a little whipped worldliness and sprinkled with the lust of the eyes. Once you have a little piece, you’ll keep coming back for more.)