October 24, 2018

Hold Tightly to Jesus

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8

Life is all about changes. The days may sometimes feel like they are covered in sameness but the reality is that change can send us reeling without a moment’s notice.

People can be so fickle. One day you’re surrounded by “friends,” secure in the knowledge that you have found your tribe. Then you find out that it was never about you but about what you could offer them. You’ve probably been there. People think the world of you until they no longer need you.

It hurts, doesn’t it? Even if you suspected all along, it still leaves a scar. You know in your mind that they’re the lesser for it, that they were never true friends, but for a moment in time you thought you might belong.

Have you ever thought you’d spend forever with someone only to see them walk away? It hurts, doesn’t it? There’s a deep core sadness, a lingering distrust. People make promises and break them all the time. You just never thought it would happen to you.

Maybe you poured your life into your career. You’ve worked hard. You thought you’d always have a job, always be secure. Until one day your company decided to downsize and you find out you’re one of the ones without a job. You devoted yourself to a company that didn’t care about you like you cared about it.

There are so many times in life when circumstances send us reeling. Sometimes it’s a catastrophic event, such as a death or a storm or a lingering illness. Other times it’s betrayal.

Betrayal comes in all forms. Sometimes it’s working hard on a project only to have your co-worker take all the credit. Sometimes it’s telling someone something in confidence only to have them tell everyone your secret. Sometimes it’s getting blamed for something you didn’t do and having people turn against you.

I am so thankful that Jesus never changes. He’s always the same. Honest. Trustworthy. Dependable. Jesus loves me with a love I can’t begin to comprehend. He loves you just the same.

Today there are people waking up to nothing but devastation. There are people walking around with broken hearts so shattered that no amount of glue can fix them. There are people who are sick and trying to forge ahead. There are people who have just buried a child, lost a parent, or gone through a divorce.

I saw a Facebook post that reminded people to be kind and show grace and mercy. Tempers can get short when our world has been destroyed. We lash out and that creates an avalanche of unintended consequences. Everyone is hurting in some way. Everyone has lost something or someone. Everyone faces things we can’t see.

Jesus sees. He knows. He offers us love and compassion with no limit. I don’t know what you’re going through today. But trust in Jesus. He is your rock when the world seems to be out of control. He is your everything when your world turns into rubble. Trust Him.

Jesus never changes. When you can’t hold on to anything else, when you can’t seem to find anyone you can trust, hold tightly to that. Hold tightly to Jesus.

February 1, 2016

Welcome Others As Jesus Would

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. -- Hebrews 13:2

We expect Jesus to be there every Sunday when we join together to worship. We know this. It’s what the Bible says. Whenever two or more are gathered He is there.

But what if you got word that Jesus was really going to be there next Sunday -- as in the flesh, His human body, meet and greet, there? That was the question our pastor posed Sunday morning.

Can you imagine it? Social media would spread the news quickly. All those folks who only show up sometimes would be there for sure. Those who stroll in late most weeks, would manage to be there early. We wouldn’t get so caught up in our conversations with friends that we would neglect those who might be new. After all we wouldn’t want to miss saying hello to anyone Jesus invited to come along.

We’d reserve a special parking place for Jesus. We wouldn’t put His name up there for all to see but we would mark VISITOR on a big sign AND nobody would park there. Jesus wouldn’t use it, of course. He’s not like that. He’d park way out and walk and leave the closer spots for others.

Jesus wouldn’t have trouble finding a place to sit. Nobody would dare “reserve” the pew they sit on every week. Nor would they glare at Jesus for sitting there. Everyone would be sure to welcome Jesus.

Here’s the thing: We’re supposed to welcome everyone like we would welcome Jesus. We’re supposed to behave as though Jesus is standing right there beside us, with a broad smile on His face and a sparkle in His eyes. We’re to be glad to see everyone, whether we know them or not. And whether we particularly like them or not.

It’s not about us. We say that a lot but we don’t live as though we mean it. Deep inside, we want it to be about us. But it’s about Jesus. It’s about His people. It’s about being His eyes and ears and His heart here on this earth. His heart. Especially at church on a Sunday morning when we should be filled with Him.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Show Jesus To Others All Year

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

-- Hebrews 13:16

The day after is always a bit of a let down. The presents are all opened. Did you get what you wanted? Are you headed out shopping with your gift cards snuggly tucked in your wallet? Are you disappointed yet again?

Christmas brings such excitement in to our lives. We look forward to Jesus’ birthday, of course. But it’s so much more than that. Families travel to be together. Friends reach out to friends. And, what’s so much more important, strangers reach out to strangers with love and kindness.

Then the day after Christmas, it all seems to end. We forget to be generous and compassionate. We forget to be nice to our family and friends and, yes, to strangers. We forget to be jolly and bright. We misplace the wonder that fills our hearts when we recall that first joyous night.

Why? Christmas may just be one day but Jesus Christ remains alive each and every day of the year. If He lives within each and every one of us -- and I pray that He does -- then why only celebrate His birth and not His life? Why not live as He taught us to live each and every day that we walk this earth?

Maybe the letdown comes because during the weeks before Christmas we’re focused on other people and not ourselves so much. We’re trying to find the perfect gifts for those we care about. We’re donating our time and money to various charities. Maybe we’re even adding a few strangers to our dinner table, all in the name of good cheer and a small baby boy.

So as we stand on this first day after Christmas, let’s all decide to remember that it lasts all year long. Let’s remember to be kind to those around us, to see good and to give generously. We can smile a little brighter, sing a little louder, laugh a little longer. We can reach out to the friends we don’t yet know and welcome them into our hearts and our homes. We can remember that the family and friends we do have deserve our best. We can love with the heart of Jesus and show others that He lives within us every day of the year.