Do you remember what it is like to take pride in gettin' dirty - when the messier the better was not only our mantra but a way of life? What happened to those days? Where did they go?
I was handed a subtle reminder of such times as I participated in our families annual pumpkin carving extravaganza. With each pumpkin strategicaly picked and placed, it wasn't long before my son, Kaedon took to his child-safety knife and went to work on this years masterpiece - an extodinary bat to light up the night.
Although excited about the carving, sculpting and lighting of the pumpkin, the thing that my son and many others like him look forward to the most is the opportunity they have to dive into a pile of soppy seeds and stringy, slimy madness. The look of total satisfaction as my son, with each dive bomb of the hand, captured more messiness than the time before; that's joy. That's satisfaction. That's gettin' dirty. That's the way it is suppossed to be!
So what's happened to us? Where has that passion for pumpkin-like moments gone? Why has gettin' dirty lost it's place in our lives?
I don't know where the excitement for gettin' dirty has gone, but as I sat by, pumpkin in hand, watching my son and company take delve into thier perspective pumpkins, I got excited and engaged my childlike desires for gettin' dirty. It was awesome!
This leads me to my point. I think that our relationships with Christ are no different than our early childhood experiences. At first, we don't mind gettin' dirty. In fact, we seek out opportunities to do just that - get dirty. Unfortunately as we age in our faith, all too often we loose sight of the importance of gettin' dirty.
For me, I have been reminded and challenged to exercise a childish expression of my faith in gettin' dirty for the kingdom. And much like I was a proud Papa when my son called out with great enthusiasm and excitement at his mess, I believe God takes joy in his children when they are gettin' dirty for him.
And now I pray that you too may experience the joy of gettin' dirty!
