I love pets. Most people in Arthur know that I love dogs, especially collies. However, there is one household pet that I am getting tired of, namely “dust bunnies”. Yes, dust bunnies do not make good pets. They are sneaky things that hide in the most unusual places. They like to sulk in closets, sleep under beds, and they get trapped in heat registers. Sometimes they seem to run away as soon as I get the broom or vacuum cleaner out. Dust bunnies are unwanted inhabitants in our households, and they have long overstayed their welcome. The problem with them is that unlike my dog, dust bunnies are related to us, and nobody likes to turf out a relative.
You must understand the dilemma here. Dust bunnies are composed of human hair, dead skin and soil particles. Now, I know that we are all made from dust, as the Bible says, but those hair and skin particles are ours! Our DNA is in it, because it’s a fact that we humans shed like a collie in a July heat wave. Indeed we do it year round. Perhaps, the most aggravating problem is that we can clean, dust, and vacuum the house on a Monday, and by Tuesday there is evidence of the need to do it all over again. Now that is frustrating.
So what lesson can we learn from our dust bunnies. Well, from them we can learn that our lives have an impact on the environment. Even when we think that we are as “green” as can be, we leave our imprint. Secondly, no matter how hard we try to clean up after ourselves, we are continually leaving dirt behind. Despite, products like “End Dust”, floor sweeping compound, and Hoovers, the job is never finished. The situation reminds me of Psalm 121, “I lift my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from.’ The answer is not from the soap and appliance companies.
It would appear that this physical problem has its spiritual dimension too. We all know that we are not perfect. John tells us in one of his letters that if we think that we do not sin, we delude ourselves. Thus, we all are tainted. Moreover, our spiritual priorities have consequences for others around us too. I guess that the Bible is telling us that we have spiritual dust bunnies too. Now, if human- produced physical products can’t really eliminate our physical dust bunnies then human spiritual self-help programs probably won’t work either. Therefore, the second line of Psalm 121 holds true, namely, ‘My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
God is the universal answer to our dust bunny problem, for forgiveness, mercy, and loving kindness all have their source in God. You won’t find any of these “cleaning products” on the shelves of your local store, but you will find them at your local church.
I am not saying that churches are without dust bunnies either, for Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of God is not yet here in its fullness, so there is bound to be a little dust about. Still, when all the dust settles, and the Kingdom does come with its heavenly King, I am sure that the dust bunny problem will be solved, and not only we will have no more mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4) but most blessedly, we will not have to dust anymore either.