Dirty Hands and Hidden Wounds: A Lesson from Fixing My Van

This past week, I found myself underneath my van, sleeves rolled up, hands deep in grease, trying to get it running right again. You know how it goes — you start with a wrench and some good intentions, and before long, you’re elbow-deep in grime, knuckles scraped, and fingernails packed with dirt. It wasn’t until I was done and headed inside to wash my hands that something unexpected happened — God began to speak.

As the water ran over my hands and the grease slowly washed away, I noticed several small cuts and scrapes I hadn’t felt while I was working. They had been hidden under layers of filth. One in particular stood out — a small but deep cut, right in the shape of a cross. It stopped me in my tracks.

Isn’t that just like life? When we’re in the middle of the mess — pushing through, fixing things, trying to keep everything running — we don’t always notice the damage we’re taking on. Sin is like that grime. It builds up slowly, covering our hurts, hiding our brokenness, numbing our sensitivity. As long as our hands (and hearts) are dirty, we can’t see the wounds that need healing.

If I hadn’t taken the time to wash up, those cuts would’ve remained hidden. And worse — they could’ve become infected. A simple scratch left untreated can lead to bigger issues. The same is true with sin. Left undealt with, it doesn’t just sit there — it festers. It grows. It infects other parts of our lives. What starts as a small offense can become a deep wound if not cleansed by Jesus.

It was only when I washed that the damage became clear. And spiritually speaking, it’s only when we come to Jesus — the living water — that our wounds are truly revealed and healed. Psalm 24:3-4 says, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart…”

I didn’t feel those cuts while I was working. The grime dulled the pain. But just because I couldn’t feel it didn’t mean I wasn’t bleeding. That’s the danger of sin. It numbs us to what’s really going on underneath. It blinds us to the places we need healing. We need to come to Jesus and say, “Search me, wash me, cleanse me.”

And then… there was that one cut, in the shape of a cross. I smiled through the sting. Because it reminded me — Jesus didn’t just come to cleanse us, He came to take the wounds upon Himself. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”

The cross isn’t just a symbol of salvation — it’s a reminder that Jesus took every cut, bruise, and burden we could ever carry. He bore our pain so we could be made whole. My dirty hands had to be cleaned to see the wound. But Jesus had clean hands — and still chose the nails.

So here’s the question God left me with that day: “Are there places in your life where the dirt is hiding the damage?” Maybe it’s unforgiveness. Maybe it’s pride. Maybe it’s just the grime of everyday life building up slowly over time. Whatever it is — don’t let it fester.

Come to the One who washes clean. Let Jesus reveal what needs healing. Let Him take your wounds. And when you do, don’t be surprised if you find a cross in the midst of your pain. That’s where healing begins.

Pull up a chair to the Table & let's have a conversation. Comment below your thoughts or answer some of the questions below.

• Have you ever gone through a season where you didn’t realize how wounded you were until you stopped and let God “clean you up”? What was that like?
• Is there any area in your life right now where you feel “covered in grime” — spiritually, emotionally, or mentally? What’s keeping you from letting Jesus wash it away?
• Why do you think we often ignore or overlook our spiritual wounds until they become painful or infected?
• What does the “cut in the shape of a cross” mean to you personally? Have you seen moments in your life where God brought healing through pain?
• What practical steps can you take this week to “wash your hands” — to come clean before God and let Him reveal what needs healing?
• How can we help others recognize the hidden wounds in their lives without judging or shaming them?
• Is there someone you know who may be silently hurting under the weight of “hidden wounds”? How can you encourage them today?