Getting Dirty

Matthew 9:36-37, “36But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

Isaiah 6:8, “8Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Mark 16:15, “15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”

As I helped a friend plant part of her garden a few weeks ago, my hands got dirty. It also wasn’t always comfortable for me and could actually be called work. Don’t misunderstand - I loved doing it with her and look forward to helping more soon and putting in my own garden.

God spoke to my heart as we worked. You see, sometimes when we are willing to work for God, we want to keep our hands from getting dirty with the dirt of the world. We want to be comfortable and the way to be easy. So often we stop when hurting, broken, “dirty” people come along or when we are not in our comfort zone. If things get the least bit tough, we whine and complain and run back to God’s table instead of staying in the field.

Will I say, “Here am I, Lord, send me.” even when that means being around the dirt and misery of the world, going out of my comfort zone, or working hard?