WHERE'S JESUS?

© 2007 James A. Harris

Do you remember the "Where's Waldo?" books created by the British illustrator Martin Handford? In every page of the books the cartoon character Waldo was hidden among the throngs of people doing things such as shopping in a mall, attending a ball game, or moving through a carnival. He was always there, hidden in plain sight and wearing a red-and-white striped shirt along with a matching stocking cap.

I would like to challenge you to start trying to see Jesus in the hustle and bustle of life. Look for him in the clogged interstate, see if you can find him in the grocery store, keep on the lookout for him everywhere. He won't be in a red-and-white outfit and hat. He'll look very ordinary. It will not be what he is wearing, but rather what he is doing.

What I am saying is that God uses many people to do his work. He can use ordinary Christians, such as you and me; men, women, boys, girls, youth, young adults, senior citizens, singles, married, families, couples, black, while, Hispanic, Asian, persons with special needs, and those with troubles and problems of their own - all of us can be used by God to be "Jesus" to someone. The church is said to be "the body of Christ," that is not said of a building, but of believers.

For many people, we are the only Jesus they will ever see. Let us not be hiding in plain sight, and let us not fail to notice and show appreciation to one another and others as we see them being "Jesus" to a lost and hurting world.

Whispers from God
Author unknown (received in an email)

But, the man did not hear.
So the man yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky.

But, the man did not listen.
The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly.

But the man did not see.
And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle." And, a life was born.                                  But, the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here."
Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.

But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way you expect. Who knows? Maybe someone will see Jesus in YOU as you live out your faith.