Doesn’t it seem meaningless to use my time on the Race to walk around someones property and pick up trash? A local could easily do this. Why am I wasting this valuable time doing something like this? So many people donated time, effort, and money for me to go on this trip. How am I honoring them by doing this? How did all this trash get here? Seriously, why don’t they have public trash cans anywhere except the US!? Why is it so hot in Cambodia? I don’t know that I’ve ever sweat this much!
These were some of the passing thoughts in my head one day during ministry. And when I realized my mind was chasing these thoughts like a crazy man chasing cars on the highway, I refocused myself on the task at hand. Once I calmed my mind, it was as if God was right there patiently waiting. Then he spoke,
“Lets chat, bud! So what are you up to?”
“Oh ya know, just picking up some trash in Cambodia.”
“Yeah, there’s a lot of it, right?”
“I know. That seems to be the norm in any country other than the US. Oh, I missed a small piece. Whatever. I doubt they’ll even notice. They don’t seem to care too much about cleanliness anyways.”
“Are you doing it for them?”
“What?”
“Who are you doing this for?”
“Uhhh. I don’t know.. the locals, my supporters, the environment..”
“Yeah, anybody else?” *Clears throat*
“Oh, and obviously you too. I figured that one was unspoken!” *Nervous laughter*
“But were you actually thinking you were doing it for me?”
*More nervous laughter* “Yeah, I guess not.”
“Everything you do, whether in word or deed, do all for my glory.”
“Well, played, Jesus. Well played.”
As soon as He helped me change my mindset it was as if I put on a pair of glasses that helped me see Every. Single. Tiny. Piece of trash. But I wanted to pick it up this time. He’s done so much for me, it was the least I could do!
So I guess I was worshipping Him by picking up trash. And you know what? I almost missed that opportunity..what a waste it would’ve been. That would’ve been some trashy worship! I know those puns were rubbish so I’ll just scrap them. Someone stop me, please!
Anyways, back to the serious stuff. So wherever I am and whatever I’m doing, I have an opportunity to do it for God’s glory! This transforms even the smallest of things into something meaningful. It’s like a relationship. You can show you care even by doing the little things with intention. And it’s sometimes the little things that stick out the most.
As I continued to pick up the garbage, I pondered the implications of that for a bit. Then another thought came in; this is taking a long time. I love worship. But I hate inefficiency. I could do this so much faster if I wasn’t worried about the tiny pieces. However, doing anything with excellence takes time! In America, we say we have a “lack of time” or “slowing down isn’t an option.” In reality, we have as much time as all the people who do things excellently. We just fill it with too much. There’s a threshold of things we can do with all our energy, might, and excellence. Anything beyond that and our ability to be excellent drops. And somehow we think the answer is to pick up a few more things on our schedule.
The Race has helped me slow down a lot! And at first it was hard and uncomfortable. I felt like I needed to be doing something all the time. But I found that other cultures don’t give a rip about efficiency. I’m serious! They think we’re crazy with our time and efficiency. As I slowly adapted to this way of life, I found that I as I slowed down enough to listen, God was speaking and I could hear Him.
So I’d like to challenge you to ask yourself some questions:
• Where have I compromised in the small things?
• How can I live in His presence even in these small things?
• Is my self-talk positive?
• Are my racing thoughts getting in the way of the Lord speaking?
• Have I sacrificed worship in the name of efficiency, the fear of missing out, or my schedule?
• Is there something in my life I need to cut out in the name of excellent worship?
Happy Processing! I’d love to hear some of the answers.
