Elle Effect Photography

First thought:

“I swear I’d know Your face in the crowd… I’ll hear Your voice so loud when You’re whispering.”

If were to pass Jesus literally on the streets today, would we even know it was Him?
A man with nothing physically desirable for us to want Him.
Hmmm. I question if I would.

Second thought:

15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. -I Timothy 1:15-17

Paul is speaking here- and he says twice in just one setting that he is the worst of sinners. Now, wouldn’t you think that Paul, of all men, would be just a little more worthy of Christ’s mercy- because all that he had done? Giving up his life for the cause of Christ? Man, that’s pretty amazing. But… isn’t that what all of should be doing- and more? It makes my heart ache. Paul wasn’t any better than the rest of mankind… no matter what he had done for God. He had the right perspective- even to the point of thinking of himself as the ‘worst of sinners’. How harsh and humbling for me. How could I ever think more highly of myself than I ought? Even the smallest degree of pride in my heart makes the heart of my Lord ache… and this morning, I feel my heart aching begging for forgiveness. Who am I? - the worst of sinners.

You aren’t better than the person that you’re talking about that has “fallen into sin”. You talking about them is the exact samr thing. We ALL have fallen short of the glory of God, and if we keep on tearing each other down in the body of Christ, we’re not representing Christ the way we should.

So today, as you drive the interstate, as you walk the streets of your neighborhood, as you grab a cup of coffee at the local coffee house- look around you. You are not better than anyone else no matter how you think they look. Even if the person doesn’t go to ‘your church’ doesn’t mean a thing- shouldn’t we be THE church? It breaks my heart to see it happening- but then, at the same time, I’m doing it myself. Sigh. This morning I asked the Lord to cleanse my heart of it all… before I even rolled out of the covers. He has refreshed my broken spirit and is beginning to heal it, so I’m taking my next, writhing steps to what lies ahead no matter how much it hurts. No matter if I have to break over and over again. No matter if I constantly have to have rude awakenings about my own heart. If I truly want to be living in the likeness of Christ, it has to be done. And it’s truly what I want. I want His heart to be my Heart. His vision to be my vision. His words to be my words. He love… to be my love.

…Jesus is the man sitting at the end of the exit ramp longing for home.
…Jesus is the young, aspiring rockstar at the local venue needing… something.
…Jesus is the man or woman in jail just begging to for something real- begging for the truth.
…Jesus is the elderly lady in the backrow of the church who needs your assistance, but doesn’t know how to ask
…Jesus is the Pastor dipping in the empty well wanting just one more drop so his church can survive
…Jesus is the single mother who needs help financially
…Jesus is… you fill in the blank.

“‘When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew 25:38-40