It Can Get Messy

Life can get messy.

Relationships can get messy.

Work can get messy.

Serving can get messy.

But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to take a group of high school guys to a YoungLife camp (Timberwolf). After one of the heavy nighttime messages about sin and death, they have a carnival.

It may sound strange to have a fun carnival after such a heavy topic, but there is a point. Many teenagers who come to these camps have never heard the Gospel message. So hearing about sin can be a depressing night as the teenagers may rehash their wayward past.

But as Christians, we are not to pass judgement on these unbelievers. We are called to love on them. So instead of having them stay in that pit, we have fun.

So the night of the carnival is a wild night of fun and games. High schoolers run around the carnival setting to gain tickets. With those tickets you can redeem them for prizes. Prizes such as throwing pies at the leaders face or dropping the leaders in a dunking booth.

I will never forget what the camp leader said, “Do not get mad at the students throwing pies in your face or dunking you. Do not try to get even with them. But cheer them on and keep encouraging them.”

My guys collected their tickets and came smiling with their pies in their hands. Ready to cover me. And they got me good.

That night after cleaning up and scrapping out the cool whip deep inside my ears, we had our cabin time where we sit around and talk.

That whirlwind excitement of the carnival filled with laughs allowed the group to open up that night and discuss the gunk that was in all of our lives.

You may not know what someone is going through, it may be messy, but they are worth sitting and listening.

I will never forget that moment at YoungLife camp.

So last night my new group of guys had a messy games night. And once again I could hear the words from the YoungLife camp leader from years ago.

In a matter of minutes my face, neck, arms, back were covered in paint. I’m not sure if it was done out of love, but they came up to me smiling, ready to get me good. I’m hopeful that in the years to come they will remember last night and think, “Eric let me mess him up and he didn’t say no. I think I can trust him.”

I hope last night is like a seed planted in each of their hearts. It may take years to see some growth, but I will keep watering that seed.

And through the years I have learned some crucial points.

Be present. Be attentive. And give them undivided attention. Even when it gets messy.

Never act shocked at what they say. It’s not my place to condemn. It’s not my job to judge. I’m supposed to be a safe place for them to land when they could be crashing. Cause it will get messy.

You earn the right to share the Gospel. It’s not something that everyone wants to hear, so it may take time. But it will be worth the wait to show their mess.

Be merciful. Be gentle. And speak the truth while clearing the mess.

Disciplining people isn’t easy. We all have baggage. We all have flaws. We all think we are right all the time.

But even though it can get messy, I must remind myself that my life is a mess too. And God covers me with grace daily. So I must also share that same grace with others.

God may see my mess, but He also sees me as His masterpiece.

May we learn to see how He sees. And may we love the way He loves.

Mess and all.

Peace