I see “signs.” Jesus signs, of his caring for us.
Not like that kid, who is now fully grown when he said ‘I see dead people.’ I mean actual signs, from God-Jesus, only twisted into guilt, which compares our performance with an edge of guilt—billboards. The real Jesus presents us with signs of His love and care if we dare look. I actually heard someone the other day talking at a table near me. They were actually talking about God, which is nice. Sure, I might have been in a bar, don’t judge me. But then one asked the other, ‘so, what have you done for Jesus today?’
It made me sad.
It made me sad.
I have to go to church, I need to pray more, I need to give more, I need to read the Bible more, I need to love better, I need… I need…
Here’s a different idea—that’s Satan wanting you to make it about you. Jesus wants us to keep an eye on Him, His example of love, sacrificial love. Signs, He will sometimes let us see ourselves.
There is nothing you need to do. Nothing you can do which will count anyway. Your motive is all wrong. Nothing. It’s all been done.
I love this story.
I love the story of the thief on the cross next to Jesus when he was dying, and you’ve heard me talk about it before. He did nothing but believe. Nothing. And that bought him a trip to Paradise. ‘Yeah, but Mark, he’s different. It was his last hope. We’ve been believers and we should be able, you know, show something. Show our maturity.’
Why? So people will notice you and pat your ass on the back (yeah, an odd comparison-work with me here)? It’s not about you. It’s about what is living in you. I have seen more of Jesus in the last five years than the rest of my life. He was always there—watching. If you are a dad it was like when you watched your kid play a sport or ride a bike or listen to our kid on the phone from the hallway on the other side of the shut door. You were observing them. You could jump in anytime if needed.
As we grow….
As we grow, God does that and we can see the signs of his good Sheppard. He allows us to see Him-signs. He allows some shit to fall on our heads because that’s how we learn, hard things landing on us sometimes. But now, well now He just shows up! We watch together. He knows I am worn, so he props me up with whispers ‘do you trust me?’ ‘Just be still and know,’ like we are waiting for the team coach to finally realize Darrel Lamonica is not going to finish the game and we are just waiting for George Blanda to come in and finish for the win. Look them up.
All those things you listed? They will happen. They are happening. Just not on your Timex, but on the Watchmakers.
Ask yourself, whose plan would you rather follow—Jesus or your own? See what happens when you release that burden. I bet that list will then be free to happen. Signs.
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