Let Them See You

A friend of mine speaks about God’s ability to forgive us continually, in spite of our many flaws, failings and falls, in this way: when we sin, God does not see us, He sees His Son.   The sacrifice Jesus made for each of us is, was and will always be a payment in full for every wrong we can do.

Wait…you’re telling me that when I do things “right”, God sees me, and when I do things “wrong”, He sees someone else?  Why would anyone pass up on that kind of deal?!?

In essence, Jesus stands in front of me as a shield from the consequences of my sin.  When I do not fully live up to the life into which God calls me, a life of benevolence and blessing, Jesus is (was) there to take on the burden I have heaped upon myself.  Humbling.

If I am being honest with you, brothers and sisters, one of my biggest struggles is too often shining the light on myself, seeking acknowledgement, glory and praise as a skewed means of determining self-worth.  I am sure it some of it comes from being an oldest son and grandson, always working to be the “good” example.  But, that’s just an excuse.  Instead of answering the question of “who?” by pointing a finger back at myself, I should be pointing it upward to Heaven.

“Take away the melodies
Take away the songs I sing
Take away all the lights
And all the songs You let me write
Does the man I am today
Say the words You need to say”

After the last couple days of quick-tempo tunes here, this song performed by the JJ Weeks Band is a quiet and poignant prayer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mgho0_JRetk ).  Colton Dixon, of American Idol fame, also performs this song.  I have mad respect for him and how, when faced with the task of entertaining millions on the show and all the pressure that world brings, he never shied away from who he was; a man of Christ.  We should all look to his example of standing firm in our confession of Christ in the face of the world’s demand that we keep quiet.

“With every breath I breathe
I sing a simple melody
But I pray they'll hear more than a song
In me, in me 

Let them see You
In me
Let them hear You
When I speak
Let them feel You
When I sing
Let them see You”

When we fall short, we disappear and Christ is there in our stead.  When grace, love, wisdom, kindness and mercy flow through us, we need to step aside and show that Christ is there in our stead.

So, my prayer is this; remove me.  In all things I say, all I do, all I write, look to Him.  When people are looking at me…at you…let them see Jesus.