Morning Meditation for Wednesday: The We in All of This
September 9, 2020
2 Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again (NIV 1984).
There was one store down the road that I always looked forward to stopping by. I was very young, and we spent time at the lake on the property my parents bought to enjoy. The store had a rather large selection of ice cream treats: push-up sherbets, ice cream sandwiches, popsicles, and other frozen delicacies. We would stop on our way to the lake and I could choose 2 of these treats to enjoy. There was enough room on the two-lane road for dad to turn into the store, and just enough room for him to park our truck and trailer.
I also looked forward to stopping at the store on our trip back home. But one time my parents were talking and forgot to stop. We had gone a mile past the store and I just could not understand why dad did not simply turn around and go back. Then it was pointed out to me just how difficult it was to turn a truck and trailer around on the narrow two-lane road. I wanted to go back and get some ice cream treats. Yet, we would have a great deal of trouble turning around safely. I was not just about me. It was about us.
The life of a Christian is not about me. Over the years of following Jesus, I have slowly moved into the realm of “us.” Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered, died and rose for “us.” Believing has moved me into a realization that the world is not centered upon me. The invitation is to join with the myriad of all other believers throughout all time in centering “us” upon Jesus, for somehow Jesus changes “I” into “we.” Our Lord Jesus Christ is the True Center of all believers, drawing us into His community.
Pastor Jim Jackson