There was once a beautiful home. Elegant furnishings and glittering floor. The owner, however, noticed the spider web at some corners of the house. He instructed his housekeeper to clear the web every now and then but the webs re-appeared every couple of days. They did his for months on end. This story reminds us of our relationship with God. Many are contented to perform certain acts of kindness, read the bible, and say a word of prayer. These are good and commendable. However, when faced with certain issues we blew our tops, say nasty things, and commit wrongs that we regret later. Why can't we be consistent in our living? Because we are sinners? Maybe it is because we do not go deep into our being to search deep into the root of our hearts. Deep within we may have unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred, and worldly desires that do not allow us to be wholly committed to God. When those roots are removed, God's spirit then is able to rework our being. One day the owner instructs the housekeeper to get rid of the spider instead of the webs. From then on, the spider webs seemed to appear less frequently. Getting rid of the spider is more effective than getting rid of the webs.

May we learn to identify the spiders in our lives. Surface cleaning can be effective for a short time. Getting rid of the spider is the key to sustainable faith. Take time to slowly read Psalm 51.