Desperate for Dirt

Healed. Fresh. New.

Like never before.

Naaman couldn't stop staring at his skin. It looked like his son's skin when he was first born. Soft and creamy. Elisha the prophet and his servant smiled at him.

"I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel. Please, accept a gift from your servant."

"As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none." Elisha declared.

Naaman tried to argue with the old man, but he stood his ground, and urged him to return home.

His heart jumped up and down at the thought of telling his family about all that had happened. He was certainly anxious to see their responses.

Home. The word brought a plethora of good and bad emotions. He didn't want to return to the man he had been? How did he stay devoted to God, when he had to accompany the king into the temple of a false god?

Oh, if only he could always stand on this ground. This ground changed his life!

Wait a second...

"If you will not receive my gift, please let there be given to your servant two mules' load of earth, for from now on your servant will not offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any god but the Lord. But may the Lord pardon your servant in this matter. When my master goes into the house of his god to worship there, leaning on my arm, may the Lord pardon your servant when I bow myself in the house of Rimmon."

He held his breath. If he could just have the dirt, it would be his constant reminder and declaration of his changed life.

Elisha smiled. "Go in peace."

Yes!

Based on 2 Kings 5:15-19

Naaman was desperate for dirt.

DIRT!

With or without the worms.

He was desperate for dirt to pray on because his life had changed so dramatically on that dirt. He was healed. He was renewed. He was saved. The thought of going back to his land - a land without God - was too much for him. He wanted that reminder of his commitment.

So he begged Elisha for dirt where he could offer sacrifices and pray. He knew this land was special because God dwelt there.

I just love how Naaman had to have the dirt. Dirty dirt. Why not something fancier? He was the head of the army of Syria after all. He could have gone to the market and purchased something expensive that would have been just as good of a reminder.

But it wasn't about the expense. It was about his devotion to God.

Are we that devoted to God? So devoted that we would beg for dirt to pray on just so we could be closer to God?

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

Seek the kingdom of God. Seek God! Let your hearts be thirsty for more of the Lord. Draw closer to Him no matter how bizarre it seems. Stand on your kitchen table and reach out to God!

Get your dirt. Don't forget ignore your commitment. Keep it real.

V. Joy Palmer