Subject: Gotten "down and dirty" lately?

In our modern society, dirt has become a "dirty" word. We don't speak well of a person if we say such things as, "he talks dirty," or,"his clothes are always dirty,", or, "he's a dirty politician," etc.

Jesus spoke (Mark chapter 4) of the seed of God's word and its being planted in different soils (dirt), which represented men's hearts. It's necessary to get the seed into the dirt for there to be any hope of new life and fruit to spring from that life.

Let's think a little about “getting dirty” in this light:

_Some people are so fastidious, they spend all their effort in staying away from the dirt, lest they get some on them.

_Others are afraid people may think they are just "common working class" if they're seen with a little dirt on them.

_We also have folks that are so lazy, they stay away from the dirt so there's no chance they might be called on to get in it and do some work.

_There are also those who think all the farming should be done by machines, so they spend their efforts looking for "new ways" to rescue people from having to work in

the dirt.

None of the above get very many seeds planted and, as a result, no new life comes comes out of the ground. But, at least they don't get dirty! What a shame.

 Then we have other types that don't mind getting dirty; of these:

_Some dig a lot, but they pay no attention to what they are doing, so they end up with a little dirt moved from a lot of places, They never get beyond “just scratching the surface.” Any seed planted after their digging won’t have much chance to grow.

_Some dig and dig, but then don't know what to do with

the holes.

_Some dig and plant, but they have no joy in the work, because they think the real work is being done in the farmhouse, so their work isn't important.

_Some are apathetic about the work, saying, "I don't own the farm, why should I kill myself when I don't get a share of the profits.

_Others labor from dawn to dusk, but they've begun to see what used to be enjoyed as drudgery that just "has to be done."

_ Then we have a few that really love the owner, the soil, and the seeds. They get tired at times, but they keep on digging and planting, knowing that not all the seeds will grow, but they dig and plant them anyway.

Which of these descriptions fit you in your work for God? Have you “gotten down and dirty” in the Lord’s fields lately? Do you have anything growing, coming up through the soil?

LORD, send forth laborers into your fields.

                                              Ben