The Eviction

The eviction notice

Over the years our houses have ranged from an 8' by 28' mobile home to a 2400 square foot house, and now we live in a 38' motor home. All of these houses have had several characteristics in common. We purchased each house, we furnished it, we cared for it, and each dwelling was our HOME, a safe haven, a place where we could take our shoes off and just be us.

Recently we discovered our house had been invaded.....there was a MOUSE in our HOUSE! Before we entered the motor home, we made lots of noise to make sure our invader was duly warned. No more taking our shoes off. No more nonchalantly walking around in the dark. At least one light stayed on all of the time. We did not feel comfortable until the varmint had been evicted.

When sin enters our Christian life, it has the same effect as the unwelcome mouse. Our peace is gone. Church or times of worship are no longer our safe haven. Our fellowship with God and with Christian friends is broken. Guilt causes us to look over our shoulder to make sure we aren't being observed in our sinful acts or that our secrets are not being uncovered. Our prayer life and communication with God are hindered.

We do not feel comfortable until the sin has been confessed and evicted from our lives.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) Marilyn Heavilin is a speaker, author, and friend of America's KESWICK. Marilyn and Glen serve as Counselors-in-residence each summer at America's KESWICK and will be returning in February 2009.