Living at an all-boys orphanage, there are certain jobs that need to be done that tend to fall into the “dirty jobs” category. For instance, I spend 30 minutes each day cleaning the boys bathroom with 2 of the boys. That’s right, 25 boys, one bathroom. It’s amazing what kind of mess they can make in 24 hours. Other jobs include replacing septic tank pipes (yes, I got poop water all over my hands as I sawed through the broken pipe) and cutting worms out of our feet. I’ve only had 4 worms so far, but when you see a living organism emerge from under your toenail, it’s a little gross.
All that to say, life is full of dirty jobs, and the World Race is no exception. We are placed on teams and expected to become plumbers into the lives of our teammates. We all have those black spots in our hearts, and it’s mine and my teammates job to remove them.
Not only do we have to dig up stuff in our own lives, but we must sift through the junk to find the root issues that need to be pulled out and exterminated. And this is messy. It’s awkward, painful, and often accompanied by tears (any time tears are involved it becomes a dirty job for any man).
I’m halfway through the seventh month of the race, and there is still things being dredged out of my heart. There are still things I don’t want to share with my team, but know I have to. I still say things that causes my teammates to ask tough questions, and in turn, reveal some major personal issues with me.
There are times I love my teammates, and there are times I don’t want to be around them. Being with the same 5 people 24/7 for 11 months can be dirty, but it’s worth it in the end. They are preparing me for the rest of my life, and I can’t thank them enough for getting their hands dirty with the junk of my heart.
While this situation can be a dirty job, growth comes out of it. My teammates can encourage me to become more emotional and love people more outwardly. They call me out when I fail and am not living to the standard God wants for me. They speak life into me in places I didn’t even think I needed encouragement. They share things with me that I was oblivious to, but now I can live in a way that better glorifies God.
I’ll speak for myself when I say that I don’t like getting my hands dirty in other people’s personal junk, but I know it’s good for everyone (and 7 months makes it actually surprisingly enjoyable).
This last week has been incredible for our team in that we’re opening up and sharing a lot of the personal stuff that’s been held in our hearts for too long. Yes, it means our hands are getting dirty, but since it means it’s going to radically transform us, I’m all for getting filthy.
Bring on heartache, the pent-up emotions, the roots of rejection, the drama, and the lies! It’s time for God to do work and bring each member of this team to a place of freedom that none of us have ever experienced before.
I may also get my hands dirty with some mud fights, dirty “lake” swims, and cleaning up after the farm animals a few more times this month. It’s all in a day’s work in the life of a World Racer.
