Free Dirt
I was sitting in a hallway catching up with a friend yesterday, and we were talking about the struggle people have with weaving science and faith together. He said, “That reminds me of a story. . . and he told me the following anecdote:
There were three scientists discussing all the advances in their profession over the last few years, and one finally said, “I think we have everything we need now to create a man from the dust of the earth just like God supposedly did.” As the other two scientists concurred, they heard a voice from heaven that said, “Alright, boys. Let’s see you try.”
The scientists were rattled but undeterred. They prepared the tools and chambers necessary. They made their calculations. But as one of them bent down and scooped up a handful of dirt, he heard God’s voice again, “No, fellas. Go get your own dirt.”
As soon as my friend finished this story, I immediately had in my mind a picture similar to the one I posted here. I thought of the fact that our planet and our lives are based on “free dirt” that we’ve been given. We like to take a lot of credit for creating things, but the fact is that we are merely using talents, treasure and time that have been given to us by God. Whatever I “create”—even these very words strung together—is simply taking tools and materials that have been provided to me and shaping them into something.
I was talking with a friend and mentor about how much I wish I wrote more. The response: “Well, why don’t you?” I muttered some things about being afraid of failure and being afraid that no one would want to read it. Then this friend said, “Chip, you’re really just supposed to sit at the keyboard and be God’s typist.” What a transforming thought that is. I get to turn “free dirt” into words. Wow.
My life looks a whole lot more grateful when I keep this idea of “free dirt” in mind. My heart is a lot more humble when I also realize that what is free to me was not “free” for God. I get the free dirt that got paid for by a life lived and given for me. When I’m at my best, I’m not a writer; I’m something much, much more. I am God’s secretary typing up what He says.
