So I had to run into the store quickly to pick up a few items and I heard a teenage girl joke with her dad about how she antagonized her mother on a visit to her house by purposefully using Jesus' name in vain and saying things like, Jesus isn't here, he never was, Jesus doesn't care, He doesn't CARE about US. Hearing this made my heart sad and I prayed to myself that HE would reveal himself to them in such a way that they would know he cared about every aspect of their lives.
I got in line with a cashier who appeared to be in her "own world" so I greeted her super cheerfully by the name on her tag and put my little basket on the rack behind me. When I turned around she was looking at me inquisitively. As if she knew me she asked, "is everything going okay today?" When I responded, she looked at me again with that same wondering expression and asked, "Do I know you?" I said, "No, I just thought I'd greet you by name!" and she said, "Thanks, that was nice. Not many people do that, you know not many people really CARE anymore. You know how that is." I agreed and she went on to compliment my cross bracelet and told me about burying her husband of 50 years one year ago yesterday. I then expressed my sorrow for her sorrow and told her that I would be lifting her up in prayer.
What is my point in sharing these stories? I was reminded that Jesus' presence and CARE isn't just revealed in some supernatural, out of this world "you - know- that- had - to - be - God" moment all of the time (although that does and can happen). He is most often revealed, through US who claim to know HIM, who claim to be HIS followers.
Driving home thinking of this, I wanted to run back into the store and go to that dad and daughter and apologize. I wanted to apologize as a representative of those who CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIAN and say, " I am so sorry that we have lived our lives, or used our words in such a way that you think that Jesus isn't here or that he doesn't care. Jesus really does care about you, and so often he uses his followers to reveal himself to you. SO if you are disappointed, please be disappointed in the people...but don't be disappointed in JESUS, because he truly loves you and cares for you more than you know!"
So now the challenge is for ME and for YOU - Let us live our lives in such a way that JESUS' presence, love and CARE is revealed. SO much so that others would want to make him the center of their lives. That HE would be the source of their HOPE. That HIS NAME would be revered.
"For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’”
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’”
So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. - Romans 14: 10b - 12
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