The toothpaste sneeze

Have you ever sneezed while brushing your teeth?

Stop for a minute. Close your eyes. Let this picture play across your mind.

It’s like snow globe exploded.

Go ahead and laugh. It’s OK. I have allergies, and mornings are a virtual snot-fest. It’s gross, but it’s my reality. Until the allergy medicine kicks in, there is no telling when I am going to sneeze. This morning, it was while I was brushing my teeth. At least now the bathroom is clean.

Living with a sin nature feels a lot like living with allergies. I would never choose to sneeze while brushing my teeth, and yet there was the toothpaste sprayed all over the mirror. When I am thinking rationally, I don’t choose to sin. And yet, all too often the results of sin are sprayed across my life.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15

Like Paul, sometimes I just don’t understand what I do, or what I think, or what comes out of my mouth. Like Paul, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Fortunately, Paul doesn’t leave us scratching our heads, without any help in sight. He reminds us whose we are.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2

He also gives us the key to living a life that is free from slavery to sin and instead lives in love with our Abba, Father, our loving and perfect Daddy.

Those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:14-16

God does not abandon us to our sinfulness. He gives us his Holy Spirit to guide us, to help us make choices that align us with him, and to whisper in our ear the reminder of how precious we are to him. We are not left adrift, helpless to spew sin and its effects all over our lives like so much toothpaste propelled by a sneeze.

Go ahead and laugh at the image of my bathroom mirror. I did. God loves us and calls us his children. He loves us even when we sin. He helps us not to. Lean deep into his love, remember his delight in you, and go forward in freedom!