03.10.10

Where’s Jesus??

Posted in Uncategorized at 9:25 pm by Zane Brown

A military chaplain, sitting in a poorly lit railway station, was trying to show a young soldier the way to eternal life.  Opening a pocket-size New Testament to John 3:16, the chaplain asked the young man to read it aloud.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only forgotten Son.”  Certainly it was a mistaken reading; yet it is tragically true for too many professing Christians.  It is easy to walk out of an uplifting church service and into a stress-filled world and have our awareness of the presence of Jesus dulled by our worldly responsibilities.  There’s bills and scout meetings and soccer and bills.  There’s sickness and sorrow, disappointment and discouragement, pain and pressure,  and don’t forget the bills. 

In Luke 2:41-52, Mary and Joseph were caught up in the busyness of their departing caravan.  They were probably tired after the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  Now, dozens of people and tons of frenzied activity surrounded the them as the group began their trek back toward Nazareth.  I imagine they assumed their young son was somewhere in the group, perhaps playing with other children.  Their awareness of his presence was dulled by their busyness.  So much was happening that they simply assumed that everything was OK and they’d catch up to the young Jesus later.  For a time though, Jesus was forgotten.   Not intentionally, but simply replaced by the stresses and responsibilities of life for a while.

Far too many professing Christians today struggle through life doing the very best they can spiritually while feeling frustrated and utterly inadequate.  Perhaps it’s because this Jesus, Who is very real to them in their Sunday worship and Wednesday small group, seems to disappear amidst the pressures and responsibilities of day to day life.  They tend to forget that He IS present and desires to be intimately involved in every part of their lives. 

Do NOT tie the hands of Jesus by limiting His involvement in your life to church-related events.  Jesus said, “. . . the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life and those who find it are few.”  (Matthew 7:14)  But, He also said, “I have come that they might have life and have it in abundance.”  (John 10:10) 

In the midst of the stresses and difficulties of daily life, Jesus is NOT missing.  He is there and wants to be involved in every circumstance, every issue, and every decision.   His desire is that our status quo be replaced with adventure, our anxieties replaced with peace, and our questions about the meaning of life replaced with a sense of eternal purpose.   All you have to do is remember that He is there and submit to His will and purpose for your life.  Call on Him for strength when you feel weak, guidance when you are uncertain, comfort when you are hurting, and boldness when you are afraid.  You won’t be disappointed!   And you’ll experience the abundant life that He has promised to those who submit to His will.

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