The Cleanse

In some cultures, before a wedding the women get together and clean the bride and sometimes even the home the bride and her husband will live in. Bridal cleansing is a pre-wedding skincare routine that includes full body exfoliation, cleaning, and facials. However, there are some cultures that do this type of cleansing as a part of their regular routine. In the Korean culture, this cleansing ritual is called Seshin, it is done weekly and it is communal. This cleaning of the body is from head to toe and includes soaking of the skin first to soften it, then rigorous exfoliation (a special mitt is used) that removes layers of dead skin, cleaning with soap, moisturizing, and ends with sauna like heat. This process needs the assistance of a professional scrubber. After having a Korean body scrub, a person may feel cleaner than they have ever felt in their lives. The weekly ritual is held in a quiet place and is meant to not only cleanse the body but the mind and the soul. The entire process takes almost 2 hours.

To the contrary, in African cultures there is a similar cleansing routine, but it is done daily and privately. It consists of exfoliation and cleaning by using natural products like black soap and an African net cloth and then moisturizing with natural products like shea butter. The African net is used to exfoliate, and it is made from a fisherman’s net. The cloth is long so the user can exfoliate and clean their back and neck without the help of others. This process removes layers of dead skin and unclogs the pores. It leaves the skin soft, supple, and clean. And the soaps and butters used also act as a type of aromatherapy that comforts and soothes. Although, it does not take as long as the Korean scrub the result is the same: removal of dead skin, cleaning of the body, and physical and mental detoxification.

Likewise, the spiritual cleansing of the believer is deep and personal. This cleansing is from the inside out. Similar to the Korean and African cleansing the spiritual cleansing after accepting Christ leaves the believer softer, supple, and glowing. First exfoliate, this includes shedding the old man and if necessary, people, places, and situations that keep the believer in a sinful state (Ephesians 4:22). Next physical cleaning. This should be done daily by prayer and reading the word. The goal is spiritual purification and divine cleaning that includes forgiveness and brokenness (Psalm 51:7). Last but extremely important you should moisturize. Moisturizing  strengthens the protective barrier of your heart resulting in a believer that yields to the Holy Spirit and is protected from conforming to the world (Galatians 5:16).

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father thank You for providing a way for spiritual cleansing. Thank You for making it possible for us to repent. Thank You for loving us enough that You sent Your only begotten Son to die for our sins. Thank You for grace and mercy that is given so freely. Thank You for Your word that when read, studied, and followed we become softer but not soft having  the ability to love even our enemies, we become supple walking with grace, spiritually limber, mentally adaptable, compliant to the Lord’s will, and having a yielding nature. Lastly, when Your Word is read, studied, and followed there is divine protection from the traps and tricks of Satan. It is for freedom, that Christ has set us free. So, we should stand firm and no longer be entangled with the yoke of bondage. Thank You, Lord, for the spiritual scrub that breaks the chains of bondage. In Jesus name, Amen.
By Sis. Patricia Towns