windows

 Washing windows ugh! Who likes that job? For me it's not so much the work involved, but instead it's the frustration. I'll think that I did a fantastic job UNTIL the sunlight shines directly through the glass and reveals the streaks and smears on a window that i thought was clean.

It kind of reminds me of the human race.

"...When we display our righteous deeds,
    they are nothing but filthy rags..." ~ Isaiah 64:6

We may think we look pretty good until the light of the Father shines through us to revealing our flaws.
In comparison to Him, our 'goodness' looks like rotten garbage

"As the Scriptures say,

 No one is righteous—
    not even one." ~Rom 3:10

Most of us realize that we are not truly righteous, but we have a tendency to compare ourselves with others. Everyone can find someone who makes them look better. And when we do, we are just fooling ourselves. There is nothing in us or nor anything we can do to make ourselves righteous. Sounds so hopeless, doesn't it? But it's not. We have a Creator who has a deep unlimited love for us.

 "For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ."~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

And when we accuse others of being self righteous we are making an assumption. Their true intentions are hidden from us, but not to God.

"...you look deep within the mind and heart,
    O righteous God." ~ Psalm 7:9

Someday it will all be revealed: true intentions and the motives of people's actions.

"But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.  But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames." ~ 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

"Lord, help me not to be concerned with the dirty windows of others. Instead help me to focus on my own heart. I want to serve with pure motives through the power of your Holy Spirit. You know me inside and out. I don't have to worry about false assumptions people may have toward me.
 Thank you for your promises; I look forward to what you have for me on that Day."

 ^"And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.~ 2 Timothy 4:8