Will They See Jesus?

Posted byenthusiasticallydawnPosted inWriting LifeTags:, , , , , ,
“Christians, like physicians, should vow to do no harm.
 But forgive us, Lord. Because we do.”
Dave Burchett

My heart has been heavy the past few weeks. There have been light moments. God has not stepped off His throne or stopped shining His beauty and light with reminders of His constant love. But my thoughts have been battling beneath the surface. Stirring within are things that must be left at the cross. Unkind words spoken to my face and others spoken behind my back. Friends that are not friendly. Brethren that do not act in love. Women who are not wise with their words. These burdens have caused me to want to retreat into a quiet and safe place. 
Alone.
Shh. 
Don’t speak. 
Silence is precious. 
I hear Him so much better when there is quiet. 
When I am alone.

I confess I am…
Bored with those who are distracted by the cult of sports and yet judge other Christians for their choices.
Disgusted with those who speak hate to those who are without light and hinder His grace by their toxic outpourings.
Discouraged with conclusions drawn without clear understanding of details.
Saddened by those who behave exactly the same as those who are called “unethical” and “slanderous”, with their own steady stream of political bashing and bad-mouthing; yet never share the Good News of His love, grace and truth.
Frustrated with the lack of graciousness, kindness and compassion that I see in the behavior of those who have supposedly received it abundantly.
Bewildered at the blindness some seem to have toward themselves as they point the finger of accusation at others. 
Lord, help me to remember your face and your grace today.
Remind me that my sins are forgiven and that you are mighty to save.
Help me to forgive:
Those who hurt me.
Who judge me.
Who accuse me wrongly.
Who misunderstand me.
Who hate me for who I am, in You.
Who hate me for who I am not, yet, in You.
Who have treated me unfairly or unkindly.
Who have slandered me and gossiped about me.
Who have sought to harm those I love. 
Because I remember your love, forgiveness and faithfulness toward me. 
Brennan Manning said, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

“Of one hundred men, one will read the Bible; the ninety-nine will read the Christian.”
~Dwight L. Moody
My question to you is, will they see Jesus? 

He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, 
   nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 
He was despised and rejected by men, 
   a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. 
Like one from whom men hide their faces 
   he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:2-3
  Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
1 John 2:9-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:10-12



Lord, may I and those who are seeking you also, be read as real. You were real, Lord. You did not put on a pretty show and worry about what people thought about how you looked, what you said and the clothes you wore. You were not legalistic and judgmental. But you were love, and grace and truth and some people GOT it. Help me be like you. Help me to “get it”. That it’s not about doing it all right. But about mercy, compassion and love. It is all that will ever matter. Now and in eternity. I pray I get this right, Lord. 
By your grace, through faith alone. Amen. 

Published by enthusiasticallydawn

Dawn Paoletta is the author of Journaling for Discovery and Delight. Her writing is included in several anthologies and her poems have been included in the Wickford Poetry and Art Exhibit and Books. Dawn is currently working on her next book. Inquiries at dawn.paoletta@gmail.com

7 thoughts on “Will They See Jesus?”

  1. Sister you have my love. Sister you have my empathy. I confess I've been struggling as well lately and your post has shown me that once again we do not struggle alone. We have God on our side, but we also have the ability to reach out, to seek fellowship and prayer with each other. Bless you my dear, and if you want to chat or talk I'm here for you.

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  4. I love you and your big tender heart. My thoughts as I read this….God is love and God is IN us, so our ONLY job is TO LOVE. May our big love outweigh the opposite words and actions that are swirling around us all.

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