Reflections

1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

It was the Christmas season and I decided to go to a mall to do some shopping. I was in the car with my two kids. We pulled into the parking garage to find a place to park. I live in a pretty congested area so the mall parking garage was packed. I drove around looking, for what seemed like a very long time, for a parking space.

Just in front of me, someone started to pull out. Their reverse lights went on so I slowed and waited. They pulled out and I pulled in. Just as I pulled in, I hear a horn behind me and I look in my rear view mirror to see if there was a problem and there bold as the noonday sun I see a woman flipping me off. If you are not familiar with that term, she was doing a gesture with her hand that showed me her extreme displeasure.

I was surprised by this. She was behind me in the garage so why would she be so upset that I took the space. But more importantly, as I looked in my rear view mirror I recognized her. She went to my church! I sat in my car in complete disbelief. And to be honest, I purposefully didn’t turn around because I was embarrassed for her.

That image of someone from my church sharing hand gestures with me and the angry look on her face has stayed with me all these years and it has been a long time.

Please don’t get me wrong. I am sure in my past I have shared hand gestures with someone. I am sure I’ve been rude and angry at times. And I am sure others have an image of me that is not pretty. But here is why I am writing this post.

Our number one job is to reflect Jesus in everything we do. If the image of this woman is so imprinted on my mind so many years later, that should be a lesson to me regarding the impact of my behaviors on others. I do not want people to watch my behavior and assume anything negative about Jesus. That would be heart breaking. I want them to see him in me.

As we get into the hustle and bustle of the season, as we run here and run there trying to get “the list” done, let’s remember why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus. Only Jesus. And hopefully because we are in a relationship with him, we will behave more like him, even in crowded parking garages.

Made For More

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 (NLT)

In the story of the Rich Young Ruler in the gospels, the ruler came to Jesus and asked him what he needed to do to be saved. Jesus cites the Commandments. The Rich Young Ruler asks which one. Jesus tells him and he says “But I’ve already done that.” Then Jesus takes it up a notch and tells him to sell everything he has and help the poor. At which point the Rich Young Ruler walks away.

You know, sometimes I identify with this man. I am doing everything I know to do to be a Christ Follower but there seems to be something missing. Deep in my soul I know there is more to this walk than just checking the boxes and following the rules. We were not designed to follow a list of rules but instead to be in a relationship with Jesus.

That relationship consists of conversations and a calling. The calling is more than tradition and things we do to feel good about ourselves. It is a real-life give and take where we step outside the box and into the deep waters. It is the place where we respond when Jesus he says “Follow me.” Stepping out of our comfort zone into the realm of difficult is where we find the fulfillment the Rich Young Ruler was looking for. It’s where we find our heart’s desire.

He knew there was more. We do too deep in our core. The question becomes when Jesus tells you what you need to do to discover what your heart is burning for, what will your answer be? Will you walk away like the Rich Young Ruler? Or will you stay and step into the deep?

Afraid But OK!

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.  His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed. Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus. Luke 5:8-11 (NLT)

Jesus had just performed a huge miracle. Peter and his crew had been fishing all night and caught nothing. Exhausted and wanting to go home, Jesus says “Let’s fish some more.” Peter reluctantly agrees and the haul of fish was more than he could imagine.

Peter realizes the magnitude of what had just happened. He understood the man he was standing in front of was no ordinary man and he understood the ramifications of this realization. The Bible says he was awestruck or “overwhelmed by awe” in the ESV version.

As that awe began to sink in and overtake his ability to comprehend, he drops to his knees and says “I am not worthy to experience this. Please leave.”

Don’t we do that? When we encounter Jesus and the magnitude of that experience hits our souls, we want to hide. We understand we are not worthy. We understand there is no way we can grasp this and we understand that this, this Jesus, is way bigger than we can handle.

As we are dropping to our knees in worship we are also saying with our words and deeds, I am afraid of this. It doesn’t fit in what I understand. Maybe I’m not your girl (guy.)

But Jesus says “Yes. You are. Don’t be afraid. Come with me on this adventure and I will show you things you are not going to believe. Stick with me and you will be fine.”

That’s what the disciples did. They dropped what they were doing and followed him.

How about you? The Bible is clear that we all have a call on our lives. What is keeping you from following yours? Are you afraid? It’s OK. That might be why the Bible says “Don’t be afraid.” so many times!

A Minute In It - Would They Know We Are Christians?

A minute in Gods' word will change your life.  Read through the Bible text and ask yourself the questions at the bottom of the post.

1 Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o’clock prayer service. 2 As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money.

4 Peter and John looked at him intently, and Peter said, “Look at us!”5 The lame man looked at them eagerly, expecting some money. 6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

7 Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.

9 All the people saw him walking and heard him praising God. 10 When they realized he was the lame beggar they had seen so often at the Beautiful Gate, they were absolutely astounded! 11 They all rushed out in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade, where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John. Acts 3:1-11 (NLT)

Do you have a lot of money to share with people?
Do you share it if you do?
If you don’t, what can you share with others that would show them Jesus?
If you were a stranger standing outside your church and you started talking to the folks as they exited, would you know from their actions if they were Christ followers?
Would you know that about yourself?