A Hole New World

Two things I knew were true coming onto the World Race were that I didn’t like sweating and I didn’t like being dirty. Interesting, since I grew up being outdoors and playing sports. Nonetheless, over the past few years, I’ve grown to love showering, smelling fresh and perspiring as little as possible.
 
Now, you’re probably asking yourself, “Why on earth would he do the World Race?”
That’s a great question… one I’m still asking myself.
 
I knew my goal to be clean would require effort; however, I didn’t think it would start day one of the race. When we arrived in Manila, our ministry contact informed the men that we were most needed at the construction site where they were building a school and a house for a family in the community. My first thought was, “Wow, we get to be a part of this!” My second thought was, “Dang, that’s going to be dirty.”
 
So, every weekday morning, the four guys on the team head up to the construction site to dig the foundations for the buildings with some local Filipinos. Together, we break up rocks, dig through clay, and toss dirt.. Lots and lots of dirt. Along with shoveling dirt comes sweat.. Lots and lots of sweat.
 
On day two, my back was sore, my white shoes were brown, and my shorts smelled like death. How can this only be day two?! By day three, I began to question. Why are we in a hole? Why is there so much dirt? Why am I not working with the people? How am I supposed to share the gospel when I’m in a ditch? God, you know I hate dirt- where was the miscommunication?
 
The beautiful thing about being in a hole for four weeks, is that it gives you time to think. I’d asked all these questions on day three and now I had three more weeks to listen for an answer. How easily I’d forgotten my prayer coming onto the race; “Lord, use me not for what others can do or will do, but use me to do what other can’t do or won’t do.” I began to see my hole as God’s answer to my first prayer. Seriously, who wants to dig ditches all month?
 
The answer to why there was so much dirt was simple- it’s not about me. It never was and it never will be. The Lord is teaching me to die to myself. My wants, my needs, my desires and dreams (godly or selfish) are ultimately in His hands. Now the question becomes, do I truly believe His plan for my life is unimaginably better than my plan for my life? I think I do. So, if God gives me dirt, I’ll shovel it and I’ll choose to be joyful in the process. Dirt is like sin. It’s messy and the only way to make progress is to get in the hole and dig through it.
 
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
                                                                                     –  Ephesians 3:20-21
 
At first, I questioned why God put me in a hole with no one to minister to and encourage. I quickly realized I had three brothers in the hole with me. They were struggling with the same questions and frustrations. But now, I look back over these weeks and see the bonds I built with these men, the stories we shared, and the jokes at which we laughed. God used them to build me up.
 
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
                                                                                –     Proverbs 27:17