Everywhere We Go

(Recommended Reading:  Psalm 139)

Jesus our Lord is with us – always and forever – like it or not.  He is not uncomfortable anywhere.  We can take Him to the best of places or the worst of paces and He still hangs with us.  He still loves us.

Jesus had a very humble beginning here on earth.  His mother, Mary, “…gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.”  (Luke 2:7 TLB)  Can you imagine?  He was born in a smelly barn and His first bed was a feeding trough for the animals!     

Jesus’ mission for His life was to provide an escape from hell to the people on earth.  “I didn’t come from heaven to do what I want! I came to do what the Father wants me to do. He sent me, and he wants to make certain that none of the ones he has given me will be lost.”  (John 6:38-39a CEV)  “But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.”  (Romans 5:8 CEV)  Death by crucifixion was one of the most painful and disgraceful forms of capital punishment ever, yet that is what Jesus suffered – after being beaten and humiliated by the soldiers.  “When the soldiers came to the place called ‘The Skull,’ they nailed Jesus to a cross. They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus.  Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive these people! They don’t know what they’re doing.’”  (Luke 23:33-35 CEV)  His mind was still on the people even though they were treating Him shamefully.       

Jesus completed His work here on earth then ascended to be with His Father in heaven.  “We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God’s throne!”  (Hebrews 12:2 CEV)

Over the years, I have heard people say something like this:  “If Jesus were sitting at your dinner table with you, or was sitting in your living room, would you say and do all of the things that you normally say and do?”

That is a very probing question.  I find it strange how we go about our lives saying and doing things every day that we would be ashamed of if we thought Jesus would hear or see them.  But, in reality – He does!  That should give us pause.  This man that began so humbly, was treated shamefully but is now glorified loves us regardless.

Because none of us are perfect, there is no doubt that our behavior certainly will not always be what it should be.  But we should strive to live a life that would make us proud and that would be a reflection to others of God’s goodness and not shame.  

I realized recently that although my desire is to be a good person, one that reflects the goodness of God in my words and behavior, I fail miserably way too often.  Each day in my prayer time I have started asking God to help me take every single thought that enters my mind captive before it can be a word or action.  Then the awareness of that thought can hopefully help me to restrain myself before I say or do anything that would shame God.  Am I always successful?  No.  Have I been doing better?  Yes.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”  (Psalm 139:23-24 TLB)

We need to always keep in mind – God is with us everywhere we go, and attempt to live the best life possible to bring honor to Him.

Written by Karran Martin – September 24, 2022