Recently, as a language learning strategy, I’ve been doing construction work for a couple of my Mixtec friends. Working nine hours a day alongside native speakers provides a lot of good opportunities for conversation practice. The work is physically demanding, often involving hauling around stacks of bricks and buckets of wet concrete. As a Mennonite boy who grew up on a produce and animal farm, I am quite accustomed to physical labor and don’t mind getting sweaty and dirty. However, the locals walking by on the street are often startled to see me doing dirty, unskilled labor.
People in this area tend to heavily stereotype Americans. They assume that all Americans are quite wealthy and don’t like working. This comes from the experiences of many in the area who have traveled to the States to work for a while. The migratory workers do the most physically demanding jobs and send most of their wages back to Mexico to support their families, build their own houses, or start a local business. Given the quantity of money that seems to be available in the States and the fact that Mexicans must go do the work that Americans do not want to do, their stereotypes of Americans are understandable.
I derive a sense of satisfaction from violating this stereotype. When people have to take a second or third look (or just a good, long stare) because they cannot believe their eyes, I feel like I have expanded their worldview just a little bit more. I have been told multiple times that “people like me” (meaning rich people) don’t do manual labor, but, rather, sit in the shade with a cold drink and a Bluetooth speaker while they watch others do the sweating. While I do like surprising people by working, I want this surprise to change permanently how they view me. When I don’t fit into the “American box” that exists in their minds, I hope they inquire more about my true intentions for living here and ultimately become convinced of my sincerity in seeking the well-being of this community.
Jesus shocked the people around Him by not acting at all like their conception of the Messiah. They expected a royal conqueror who would put the world to rights and establish a political kingdom through force. Instead, Jesus violated their stereotypes by interacting intimately with the common people around Him, putting Himself out and getting dirty in order to bless and restore them. Ultimately, He accomplished far more good in His ministry than if He had pursued earthly political power. Of course, you or I will not have the far-reaching impact in this world that Jesus did, but His example of working hard and getting dirty to serve others is a good one. I challenge you to try it. Get out and violate this world’s expectations of self-centeredness. Show them that those who are great in the Kingdom of Heaven are the servants of all.
– Leonard Hege
