I caught a glimpse of God today, and he didn't look like the pictures in my Sunday School bible. He wasn't wearing pristine white robes and he didn't have his eyes uplifted and his arms outstretched standing on a cloud.
He was dirty. And holding a shovel. As I took a closer look I knew he was God, but couldn't believe he was God. What is wrong? Why does he look like that? How did his clothes get like that? Surely, my resurrected Savior wouldn't look like this? And what is with the shovel, if he is going to hold anything shouldn't it be one of those little harps?
He didn't say a word, he just kept shoveling, clearing a path. Several times, he took a knife out of his back pocket to cut away branches, to scare off prowling creatures who look at me hungrily. What is he doing? He is preparing Redemptions Path for me, for you, for all of us.
My Dirty God does not simply sit on his throne hoping we come back to his plan, his purpose, his destiny for our lives. He is actively seeking us, chasing us, pursuing me. He sees me, lost in this wilderness of confusion, and he runs after me, shovel in hand.
I fully believe that God has prepared a path for every one of our salvation's. He has a plan for our life to stay on and follow this path. But its not a one time shot. In his loving nature he also gave us free will to choose where we will go. Sometimes, we veer off. We try to create our own way. But my own way will never lead to his promise.
My Dirty God is not passive about my choices. He doesn't say, Oh well, another one will come along. NO! He is always searching, counting, knowing who is missing. When he sees me off in the distance, hiding in the trees, he chases after me. Hard. He runs through every muddy puddle, every thicket, every dark forest, and FINDS me. Me! He finds me.
And when he does, he doesn't magically sprinkle fairy dust on us and transport us back to his way, but he does pick up his shovel and begins to carve a way back for me. He says, "You have work to do, but I will go before you and beside you. I will make your crooked paths straight. I will smooth out the rocky places. Stay with me, beloved."
That he would love me that much is overwhelming. He loves you that much. He is seeking you, chasing you, pursuing you. He sees you, lost in your wilderness of confusion, He runs after you, and when he finds you, you will find a shovel in His nail pierced hand. And an everlasting love in his eyes.
Let Him find you today. I know He is right behind you.
