Who doesn’t love Converse? Especially the white high-tops. They’re so fresh that we avoid anything messy when wearing them. Recently I commented on a friend’s all-white Chucks and he replied,”I knew I shouldn’t have taken them out today!” pointing to the coffee stain on the canvas.
White Converse are nearly impossible to keep clean (especially in the “toughest weather city” in the nation). Any given day brings 100-degree heat at noon followed by 3pm showers and a cold front. There’s really nothing you can do to protect your shoes if you intend to go outside and interact with the world.
Imagine walking through mud in some brand new, white Converse. Crazy, right? What goes through your mind?
You just bought those, now you can’t get your money back!
You should have been more careful.
Why would you walk in the mud? Have you lost your mind?
On your way to a meeting in the rain, you find someone stuck in the mud on the side of a road. It could have been by mistake or a product of bad decision making. Whichever way you see it, there they are, not going anywhere anytime soon unless they receive help. You roll up to the scene with your new Converse strapped tightly to your feet. There’s no time to take them off to gently place them on the side. Cringing yet?
Would we really get into this mess knowing the consequences?
The chances of this predicament happening to you may be unlikely, however, many of us deal with this tension. We weigh the opportunity costs of ministering to, being with, and walking with people. The conclusion is we’re bent towards keeping others and their mess at arms length–and keeping our Converse spotless. We want the titles: the nice co-worker or community group leader–without any sacrifice for others.
I’m in that party. This semester has been filled with experiences of pain, confusion, and brokenness. Stories have driven me to tears. The reality and sadness of an ill world can be overwhelming. The more involved I become in ministry, the more apparent the darkness is– and the more I want to run the opposite way.
I don’t want to get dirty. Though others around me may be drowning in distress, my desire is to be safe. After all, who takes clean garments to a dirty hamper?
Convicted of my selfishness, I see the Lord is teaching a sweet lesson in this season: God didn’t make me eternally clean to be temporarily safe. He sent Jesus, spotless, to present me unblemished [1]. Christ suffered a bloody death on an old Cross to wipe my sins. Jesus became messy–and muddy–for me.
There’s many fears that keep me from reflecting Christ in my interaction with others–the emotional and mental sacrifice, fear of criticism from an outsider’s perspective, and not wanting to get hurt. Underneath the surface, it’s unbelief that God could actually use me–an imperfect dude–to walk with others through the mud. Are people worth our support and patience? They are to Christ.
Whether it be the death of a parent or a pet. Failing an exam or a drug test. Sadness or betrayal, bankruptcy and debt– all experiences of life bring about some sort of emotion. Everyone hurts. There are hardships and heartaches in this life that will not be extinguished on this side of heaven, but every step in the mud–every tear shed, hug exchanged, restless night, hour of listening and encouragement–is worth it. We have a Living Hope that will never fail us in the darkest of nights. He is coming back to make it all right. Christ enables me to join in the messy work of redemption.
“Love says: I’ve seen the ugly parts of you, and I’m staying.” -Matt Chandler
Jesus has seen the ugliest parts of me and has chosen to stay. I’m praying that this would compel me to do the same for others!
[1] “for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:28)
mitchjay 