The Reverend Dr. Jason Richard Curry, Columnist
The term grittiness has been defined in a variety of different ways. Within the context of this article, I am defining grittiness as challenging, unattractive, cringe-worthy, aesthetically-challenged, and, at times, unsightly. Grittiness never refers to an unethical or illegal act. I know a pastor who pastors two distinct congregations: a homeless congregation and a middle-class congregation. Many of his middle-class parishioners didn’t want to worship with homeless people; therefore, to remain employed and to embrace the teachings of Christ, he led two separate congregations. My experiences and his experiences confirm that people often want a ministry that avoids the poor, the homeless, the unemployed, and those addicted to mind and mood-altering substances so that they may embrace a “Comfortable Christianity (e.g., a ministry geared to middle-class or affluent worshipers who may have little or no interest in helping the less fortunate in society). Jesus certainly avoided a “Comfortable Christianity,” and he helped and healed people whenever and however he found them.
John tells the story of a man who benefited from Jesus’ “gritty” ministry. Jesus literally “…spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. ‘Go,’ he told him, ‘wash in the Pool of Siloam…’ So the man went and washed, and came home seeing (John 9:6-7).’” Undoubtedly, Jesus’ method of ministry was unconventional, at best. If Jesus had embraced a “Comfortable Christianity,” the man’s sight may not have been restored.
If our ministries are to reflect the methods and models provided by Jesus Christ, they should, in some way, necessarily concern those who suffer the most in society. In other words, they should reach down in the muck and mire of society and seek to help the poor, the homeless, the addicted, those who are incarcerated, those who were incarcerated, as well as others whom people and institutions have neglected. I don’t recommend turning our saliva into mud; however, I thank God for the “Grittiness of God” who reached down into the muck and mire of our lives and extended love to all of us.
It does not matter how the world may have negatively impacted us; God’s love and forgiveness are still available to us. Indeed, healing can be found in the “mud,” also known as the “grittiness or ministry,” which necessarily recognizes the value of human life.
