“And Jeremiah sank down into the mud.” (Jeremiah 38:6 NIV)
Our flesh desire is clean and comfortable. Often though, our calling can drop us into muddy cisterns. Filthy. Uncomfortable. Dark and dank. Downright scary.
This was true for Jeremiah; his ministry delivered him into ever-deteriorating conditions. He suffered for the sake of God’s word.
It was true of Jesus as well. He left the light and joy and perfection of heaven – surely clean and comfortable as son of God – to muck it out with us here. He put on a frame of dust. He was born in a stable. Can you imagine a more filthy, uncomfortable place? Before He turned two, He ran to Egypt as a refugee. Throughout His life, living conditions worsened. By the time we meet full-grown Jesus in the gospels, He’s traveling from town to town sleeping in tents like a vagabond – the Chosen series portrays this lifestyle quite well. What’s more, Jesus lived in the crosshairs of the religious leadership and the Romans alike.
It seems to me that Jesus was endlessly uncomfortable and frequently filthy. Somehow amidst all this dirt and difficulty, He maintained spiritual purity so strong that He could reach out and make the unclean clean again.
Jesus’ discomfort culminated on the cross. I’m sure He was grimy, too, grubby from head to toe after a night in a pit and a grotesque parade though angry streets. Blood and mud ran together that day as He died for His people.
If Jeremiah and Jesus ministered in mud and discomfort, then why should we expect anything less? I’m chastened; my limited tolerance for dirt and discomfort has surely impeded my ‘yes’ over the years. Perhaps you feel the same, too?
If I’m being honest, my commitment to cleanliness and comfort too often eclipses my commitment to Christ. I need God’s assistance to identify and overcome these most-pitiful moments. I need His help in outgrowing my love for Him over my allegiance to self. I require His strength to step out and minister in scary, dirty places. There are far too many ugly locations on earth where the gospel is still required. The Great Commission cannot afford for me to sit out.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with it’s passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24 NIV)
Lord, please help us turn down the shout of our flesh. Convince us of the agenda of heaven; making You known. Cure us of our shortcomings; curb our intolerance for filth and heat and cold and deteriorating conditions. Make us willing to follow You to the ends of the earth. Give us courage to say ‘yes’ to You any time, any place, any way You desire us to serve. Amen.