What I Learned Digging a Ditch

(a Steve Orr Bible reflection)

I had a generous weekly allowance when I started high school. It covered school lunches and more. Then one day, the school raised the price for lunch—taking all of my allowance. 

In the midst of this, I heard an announcement on the school PA system: A boy was needed to do some manual labor on Saturday. I hurried to the office to let them know I wanted that job. I was motivated by my need for money, and I really didn’t much care what I had to do. 

As it turned out, the job was digging a ditch.

Those who have dug ditches will agree, I believe, that it is not usually a complicated enterprise. You move earth from one place to another place. There is another fairly universal truth about ditch digging: Unless you have access to some sophisticated equipment, it's hard work!  

Let me spare you the hour-by-hour description of my first time to dig a ditch. It was not a great experience—not for me, not for my employer, and not for the ditch. 

But at the end of that very long, hot Saturday—literally, the end of the day—there was a ditch. 

And I got paid what I was promised. 

The experience was uncomplicated, but taxing. Simple to understand, but a real challenge to accomplish. Our spiritual walk is much the same. Don’t be fooled by those who tell you different: It is not complicated. This week’s 1 Timothy passage tells us God and Jesus want us to pray: for everyone—especially for rulers and governments—so we can quietly go about living our lives in peace and humility.

Not complicated.  

Yet, something like that can be very challenging. Praying for people with whom we disagree, people we don't trust, people we don't like, even people we didn't vote for: That's hard to do. It helps, from time to time, to stop and recognize that all we are asked to do are simple things—simple things like hear, believe, repent, rejoice, walk, wait, stand.

And pray. 

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Louis Sachar’s novel “Holes” is also a film. See what happens when several teens have to dig! Here’s the Internet Movie Database entry.