The sign was sitting on the shelf in the junior high Sunday school room at church. I’d seen it before. It must have been there when I taught Sunday school to my own group of rowdy 5th and 6th graders, including my two sons.
I must have made a lesson out of it. That’s what Sunday school teachers are supposed to do, isn’t it? “Sometimes it’s hard to see Jesus in the midst of our busy lives,” I would say. “And sometimes His presence is very clear. You can’t mistake it.”
Then I showed them the sign. You can see it here. Does it say anything to you? Some people see the words immediately, “JESUS” spelled out in all caps. Some people stare at the sign for the longest time and only see blocks of painted wood.
Even when they’re told that “JESUS” is there, they can’t see it. Can you?
Seems to me that Jesus was pretty clear about where He could be seen. He could be found among the poor and lonely, the hungry and thirsty, the sick and suffering, the lost and imprisoned. He made his ministry among “the least of these.”
Sometimes–to be frank–you can’t always see Jesus there. I think about when I volunteer at our church’s soup kitchen and instead of always feeling loving and kind, I find myself irritated by one of the guests. For instance, there’s that lady who always complains about the food. Where does she think she is? The Four Seasons?
But then there are moments when God feels vividly present. Not just at the soup kitchen either but in everyday life. I’ll get a nice note from someone out of the blue, or I witness something outrageously kind or I see a beautiful sunset or hear a beautiful passage of music. Jesus is there.
That would be my prayer. To see Jesus’ presence always. To be constantly aware of His abiding love. Remember that lovely prayer that was put to music in the musical Godspell.
“Day by day, oh dear Lord, three things I pray. To see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, day by day by day.” That’s my prayer.
Here’s what I’ve noticed about that little sign. That once you see “JESUS” it’s hard not to miss Him. Take a look. Keep looking. Jesus is here.
