To Be Intentional With A Towel

Anyone with a front load washing machine knows what you have to do after a cycle.
Anyone with a front load washing machine knows what happens if you forget.
The smell will point you right to the problem.
The solution is quite simple.

Many years ago, we bought our first front load washing machine.
Gone were the days of waiting for the drum to fill with water.
Gone were the days of anything with a strap getting wrapped around the agitator.
Gone were the days of using too much water and not being energy efficient.

When my children were all home, the front load washing machine made sense.
Since we have a well and our own septic system, the many loads of laundry took its toll.
We knew that we had to reduce water usage.
Three loads of laundry each day would be better suited with another machine.

I loved my front load washing machine.
It was so quiet.
It seemed to get clothes even cleaner than before.
The larger drum washed more clothes.

I remember the delivery man telling me to remember to dry out the inside of the washer.
Use an old towel and dry it out thoroughly, he suggested.
Keep the door open just a bit by placing the old towel in the door, he continued.
I followed his instructions, but inevitably, one day I forgot to use the towel.

I came into the house through the laundry room.
I noticed the smell right away.
It was a musty smell.
I did not know where the smell was coming from.

My nose inspected each corner of the laundry room.
I opened the powder room door as well.
The obvious places were not the culprit.
As I neared the washing machine, I knew.

The musty smell was coming from inside the drum.
I had only forgotten to dry the machine and place the towel in the door for one day.
One day was all it took.
The delivery man was right; I was intentional to never forget the towel routine again.

Being intentional only works when you remember to be intentional.
For the most part, I have been very faithful to dry the washer and place the towel in the door.
There are a few days, when I am in a rush, I have forgotten.
My nose tells me the next morning about my negligence.

A musty smell in a washing machine seems to be paradoxical.
Something that is supposed to get your clothes clean should smell clean.
How can one little towel and the extra step of drying the inside of the washer make a difference?
One little towel.

Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.  Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.  When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!  Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.  Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.  “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.  If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;  but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.  See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her— but now murderers!  Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water.  Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them. (Isaiah 1:13-23)

Much like the musty smell of my washing machine, our sin stinks to God.
Your incense is detestable to Me, God says.
Our offerings to God, trying to appease our sin, are meaningless if our hearts are not repentant.
God makes it clear what we must do.

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.  Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

God is telling us what to do so the offensive smell of our sin does not reach His nostrils.
No matter how hard we try, there will be days when we forget.
There will be days when the musty smell of our sin wafts in the air.
We cannot clean ourselves, to God’s satisfaction, on our own.

We need a Savior.
We need to be washed clean.
After our cleansing, we need a daily bath to remove the dirt and grime that accumulates.
Jesus took up the basin and the towel.

Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you. For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. (John 13:10,11)

Jesus took up the towel and said we must do the same.
We need to be washed clean by Jesus.
Put your dirty feet in His hands.
Let Jesus wash your feet.

The smell of our sin stinks to the nostrils of God.
The smell of our sin is detestable to Him.
In Christ alone, we are clean.
In Christ, the only aroma the Father smells is His Son, Jesus.