So I am sweeping near my "spot" (the place where I sit regularly) and I found that I am quite the slob! I was disgusted by the amount of old food and crumbs that had accumulated around the place I regularly attend. If you were going to judge me without ever having met me and saw what I swept up you'd think I was an 800lb greasy, jobless, couch potato who eats only junk food.
So here is the Theology of Sweeping: even at my best I spill things, miss my mouth, drop crumbs, knock things over and generally create a mess around me without even knowing it. Even without realizing it, I create a little disorder, chaos, and nastiness. This is what I produce.
Not because I put any effort into it, but rather the opposite! I put effort into trying to prevent it. However, This mess still surrounds me and ultimately I have to sweep it up. Today I am thankful that grace covers my mess -- my sin. That looking at the pile of disgusting dirt I sweep up from a weeks worth of snacks and sodas shows me that I am sinful even when I don't realize it, and therefore am covered by grace even when I don't acknowledge it. That my sin surrounds me and grace surrounds me all the more. Even sweeping up a simple pile of crumbs can be a reminder that I am not what I intend to be, but that by Grace in Christ I am what I need to be to stand before the Father, and am becoming everyday His image. The pile of dirt may remind me I am more sinful than I realize, but the cross assures me I am more loved than I know. So next time you sweep your floors at home and begin to feel disgusted with yourself -- remember -- you are disgustingly sinful, but God was gracious in Christ and this is a reason to praise!