As I was using the vacuum cleaner at home the other day, I noticed that it was not picking up all the dirt on the floor. I was doing everything in the usual way, but not with the desired result. In fact, I had noticed for a while that it was not cleaning properly. When I investigated my concern, I found that some of the filters on the unit were severely clogged. After a good cleaning, it worked as well as it did the day I bought it.

Those filters did not stop up suddenly, but over time; little-by-little, they became so dirty that using the machine was a complete waste of time. It sounded like it was fine, and it looked just like it always did, but it was not accomplishing anything of significant value. My labor was in vain; I was just going through the motions of cleaning the floors, yet not getting the job done.

I wonder how often we simply go through the motions of serving God while our lives are clogged up with all kinds of sins that keep us from being able to truly please Him.

It can be pretty easy for us to look good on the outside as we do our religious routine, while allowing things to accumulate in our hearts that prevent us from walking closely with God. Christ acknowledged that problem in the religious community during His time on earth. He charged the religious leaders with being "like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean" (Matthews 23:27, NIV). They were going through the motions of serving God expertly, but their hearts were far from Him.

Hopefully none of us are in the pitiful condition that those Christ addressed were in, but we all have to be careful to pay special attention to our true relationship with God so that we do not become guilty of simply going through the motions of serving Him while allowing our hearts to be anything but devoted to Him.

Just as the filters on our vacuum cleaner are there to prevent trash from entering into and destroying the internal works of the machine, God has provided us with the inner presence of the Holy Spirit to filter things out of our lives that are displeasing to Him and harmful to our spiritual well being. Christ stated concerning the Holy Spirit, "When He comes, He will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" (John 16:8). If we will listen to His voice, the Spirit will convict or convince us regarding the things that displease God so that we can ask for the Lord's forgiveness and

restoration.

Are you just going through religious motions but not really serving God? Have you allowed sin to go ignored in your life? Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to you and ask God to clean away the dirt of sin, so you can live a life the honors Him.