Slideshow image

After the Sunday worship service several months ago, we were saying our goodbyes on our way to the door when Blaine, a young man of four, walked up to Debbie and extended his hand to give her something. She met his smile and received the gift which proved to be a small plastic Jesus. Debbie attempted to return the figure but was encouraged to keep the present with his words, “I really want you to have it.” Debbie scrambled in her purse to find a candy lollipop she kept handy for grandchildren and gave the treat to the young man that just gave her Jesus.

Several days later our visiting grandson, Sutton, asked about the plastic Jesus on the dresser which was promptly passed along. As Debbie packed up Sutton’s clothes and toys to return to his home in Simpsonville, she asked, “Sutton do you have Jesus” and his quick response was, “Yes Marmee, I have Jesus in my pocket.”

As I reflected on the heartwarming story of one of God’s smallest, a young child, gifting Jesus and Sutton’s response “I have Jesus in my pocket”. I was reminded that we make the choice to carry the Holy Spirit with us into our daily encounters and we are “filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” We need Jesus, His strength and blessings in our heart.

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV

Years ago, I traveled almost daily for Clemson University to cities and small towns across the Palmetto State. I paid particular attention to the presence of the many churches located in the downtowns or the small rural communities. Whether they were Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, or another Christian denomination, they made a strong statement that we live in God’s world and we make the choice to walk through the doors of His sacred sanctuary to worship and serve our Lord Jesus. But as I reflect on the concept of a physical church, I realize that although the building is important it is only the station for His ministry. We are His church. We carry the “living waters” of Jesus. We are His disciples, dispatched by Jesus to carry the Gospel into the world with the love and guidance of the Holy Spirit in our heart. Our opportunities to spread the Gospel are reflected in our lives, in our acts of service, our constant prayers and in the kindness and compassion we extend in our daily encounters. We are the living Church of the Risen Lord Jesus.

“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:19-20 NIV

 One of my favorite movies is “Up” the classic Disney cartoon film with the central character of “Carl Fredricksen” (voice by Ed Asner) who is fascinated by exotic world travel and attempts to fly his home with balloons to a magical wilderness to honor his recently deceased wife “Ellie”. Upon arrival in the exotic wilderness Carl is befriended by a loyal and lovable Golden Retriever, Dug, who joins the adventure only to be regularly distracted by the shout of “squirrel”. I can relate to Dug’s regular diversion. It’s not the shout of squirrel that I find distracting but my daily focus is easily preoccupied by almost anything. I find my curious nature exploring everything often delaying or forgetting my mission. I need a symbol to remind me that I shouldn’t be distracted, amused, or interrupted from living in God’s grace and communicating the Gospel.

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” Colossians 1:27-28 NIV

For many years Christians have created and worn symbols of their faith to express that Jesus lives in them. We wear the cross, place the fish symbol on our cars, hang signs depicting God’s love, and print scripture on tee shirts just to name a few. Several weeks ago, a friend gave me a hand-carved wooden prayer cross that I now carry in my pocket every day as a constant reminder that we are His church and bear the responsibility to carry the Gospel to all of God’s children.

We are the disciples of the Risen Lord. Is Jesus in your heart and accompanying you each day?

 

Prayer: Abba, Father, we give thanks for Jesus our Lord and Savior. Help us to boldly carry the teachings of Christ to Your children and shine the light of Your redeeming love. Grant us the strength to push past the socially correct opposition and confidently present the saving grace of Christ to a world that desperately needs Your love and guidance. We make this prayer in the name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

  

The Wesleyan Bridge is written by K.B. Kelly with the Reverend Valerie Mireb and Pastor Hank Brooks as Theological Editors and Debbie Kelly as Text and Content Editor.