Wired the way I am, nooks and crannies drive me nuts. When I clean my car I want it clean but it has air vents, and seats that don’t come out, and a trunk release that was designed to also function as a small waste basket. The way my shower is made, it is impossible to get under the corners to clean them. When I install software upgrades on my computer I know those leave behind bits and pieces of the old version, and it is tedious to comb through system folders to remove those nits and nats. And, I have nooks and crannies within me. Those are the worst.
How do I know what I don’t know? Do I completely believe what I claim to believe? Forgiveness is riddled with crevasses that leave me wondering what needs to go and what is supposed to stay. Yes, I am surrounded on every side by nooks and crannies that need cleaned or filled or just left alone. Â
Jesus doesn’t leave nooks and crannies undone. That is a comfort to me. John 8:36 (NIV) says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” No nooks, crannies, nits or nats. In 1 John 1:9 (NIV), “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Again, we’re not only forgiven, but we are purified. No unclean crevasses.
Wrapping this up, take a quick look this very familiar verse in Romans 8:27-28 (NIV), “And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.“
God works “all things together for the good of those who love Him…” All things, no nooks, crannies, nits or nats. This doesn’t mean you don’t have to go to battle with your car’s air vent, but it does mean that in all things you can have peace for Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV)
Photo by Evelyn Fjord on Unsplash