Have you looked in the Mirror Lately?

Recently, I have had the opportunity to work with a partner on my truck. This is a rare occasion because the nature of the work is that I work alone almost 100% of the time. I pick up recycling for a living right now and I happen to have a sore knee, so my boss had mercy and gave me a helper. The opportunity came up to talk about "religion" with him and it was obvious that he has the wrong impression of the things of God. Things like, "Religion has been the source of wars for far too long." My response to this was, "That's not religion's fault, that's our fault... man's fault. We're the ones who've messed things up." He agreed.

Bottom line is that he has a misconception of what God is really about. This is the case for a lot, if not most people who are not followers of Jesus. I mean, there is a reason why they do not want to follow Jesus. What is that reason? Somewhere along the way they have been mislead to believe something that has turned them off to Jesus. God has chosen to use His followers to be His image and representations in the world. This is something you already know. You've probably known this fact for a very long time.

What are we NOT doing to show people who Jesus really is to us? Seriously... why are people so turned off? Are we scared of what people will think and say when people find out that we are followers of Jesus? Is that making us unintentionally scew the image of Jesus to others? Are we being enough of a counter culture so that others will actually see a difference in us... something that is different than the rest of the world... something they find attractive that they might also want, and also makes them ask you why you are so different than everyone else.

This is challenging for the best of them.

In John 14:26-27, Jesus says, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." Why are we scared to portray Jesus to people? Jesus promises peace. He promises HIS peace for us in every area if our lives, even being a witness. Yes, in the context of this verse He is speaking to his disciples, but He is also promising His peace to all of those who follow Him after His first followers.

Also notice that Jesus says he does not give as the world gives so this peace He is talking about may not look or feel like what we would expect it to look like. We must trust, in faith, that what Jesus tells us is real and true and, also in faith, step out and be different than the world; much different than the world. Step out and show people what Jesus is really like so that less and less people will have the wrong image of what Jesus is all about. It's a risk to be a counter culture as Jesus was because people inevitably will not like you. Jesus says in John 15:18 says, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

As you are challenged to love Jesus with your life and being the portrait of Jesus in your world, rest in His peace and know that Jesus knows exactly how you feel.

Jesus is what life is all about. Please, don't let anyone or anything tell you anything different.

~Bry...