The Pilgrimage - Red Dirt

Red Dirt.

Dirt. I have always loved dirt. Soil. Add water and you get mud. Who doesn't love a good mud fight? Perhaps from a distance, but it's still fun to witness, even if not participating.

Mother Earth. Our boys could spot a mud hole at 200 meters or make a sandbox out of thin air. Dirt on their clothes. Grime on their shoes. Soil in their hair and all exposed body parts—and sometimes on the lesser exposed body parts—if you get my gist. Heck, sometimes they would have it in their mouths—digesting mud pies for fun.

We have all kinds of idioms and phrases about dirt.

• Common as dirt
• Dirt cheap
• Rub some dirt on it
• Treat someone like dirt
• Eat dirt
• Getting down and dirty

If you have been to Georgia or Hawaii, you know they have red dirt everywhere. You may know how difficult it can be to remove it from your clothes. It stains.

Myself and Kody in Uganda

The Good Lord made the continent of Africa out of brilliant red terracotta. The soil’s high iron oxide content is responsible for the deep red pigmentation. It sticks to your sandals like great globs of pancake batter. It can permanently color/dye anything it touches. Crazy stuff, that African mud.

They have a saying in Africa. "You can get the red dirt of Africa out of your clothes, but never from your heart."

Hmmm. True.

Travel anywhere in Africa and you will usually find the people to be very warm and embracing. Gentle and welcoming. The climate is often soul-enriching and the views memorable, though not always pleasant due to biting poverty and stinging hopelessness.

You can't forget what you saw. The snarling traffic jams, lush green banana trees, round mud huts. Children living in rags. You can't get out of your head what you experienced. It stays with you forever.

I love memories. The older I get, the more I find myself looking backwards. Reflecting. Replaying.

Some memories are fantastic and healthy. Others can be destructive and life-altering. Sometimes, we need to get things OUT of our heart and mind. But, like red dirt on a shirt, they can be stubborn to eradicate.

I wonder, as we flipped the page on our digital calendar, are there some memories that we need to surrender? To let go. Release.

I get it. Like many of you, I have been hurt. Betrayed. Doubted. Judged. Unfairly criticized.

The temptation to retaliate is real. The urge to get even—or ahead—is familiar to everyone. We long for the opportunity to tell our side. To see them get theirs. To trip up – so we can rejoice.

Pharisaical Smirk.

For those who claim to be followers of The Way—payback is not an option. Giving someone the silent treatment is off the table. Perhaps the concept of forfeiting our right for vengeance/retaliation has not been a part of many Jesus-follower's discipleship package. We prefer other topics...but I think Jesus believes this is relevant and vital subject matter—especially for Jesus followers.

bWe are called to refrain from telling someone to eat dirt—or to treat them like dirt (in our Christian way). Not cool.

Are you aware that the word "saved" can be translated as "healed"? I love that. (The concept has ramifications far beyond today's topic!). OxyClean for our heart.

Jesus knew we needed healing. Today—right now—is a great time to release any desires for revenge. Payback. Reprisal. Eye for eye.

Revenge and holding on to sour memories... is so old-covenant of us!  Jesus came and demonstrated a new way. A better way. He lived it—and desires His Crew to do the same. He served up new wine (new teaching) as opposed to the old ways of thinking/teaching.

Today may be your day. Let it go. Pray for your enemies/people who do not care for you. Right now. Tomorrow. Make it your habit.

Enjoy your new freedom.

For extra credit, meditate on Matthew 5:38-39.

To respond to any Pilgrimage devotional, you can email me directly at [email protected]

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