Have I made Jesus too small?

I was raised Catholic. Going to church was a very formal thing. We dressed up every Sunday and on Easter we added hats (sometimes even gloves). Once you stepped into the "sanctuary" you had to be totally quiet. In my early years mass was in Latin so it was difficult for anybody to really understand. What a sad way to try to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus. Through sermons and songs we learned the basic stories of Jesus, but why the recitation of words people didn't understand? Fortunately, they gradually moved to all English service, and I think they eventually relaxed the dress code. 

Once I married and we stopped going to Catholic mass, the services were not as formal. You could talk in the "auditorium" before and after service without being stared at, but dressing up for church was still a thing. Dress codes began to relax for church, but by then I was the pastor's wife and it was expected that I would dress up and so would my kids. There were many expectations on our family but the idea that I had no choice even in what I wore to church made it very easy to stop dressing up once my husband was no longer a pastor. 

When my husband left the ministry, we began attending a Vineyard Christian Fellowship church in the area and jeans were a thing.  Yay! And because my husband was no longer a pastor, nobody cared what we wore. After all, I told myself:
No. 1, Jesus is my friend; I don't dress up to go to a friend's house; and
No. 2, I don't just see Jesus only on Sundays; He is with me all the time and I don't dress up daily to be in His presence.
Both of which are still true. BUT.....

as our pastor spoke on Sunday, "have we made Jesus too small?" He's our friend, yes, but have we forgotten that He is Lord. Sometimes I can take that to the next, lower, level by not setting aside time to study the Bible and pray. After all, I tell myself, Jesus is with me ALL the time. I can talk to him as I'm doing housework, going to the store, whatever my days activities might be. And these days I can listen to scripture while doing all those things. I don't need to sit at a table and do that. 

Yes, I believe in miracles and I believe Jesus is all powerful and CAN do anything. That's not how I make Jesus small. But do I stand in His presence in awe of who He is? Do I give Him the honor He deserves as a King? I think I've failed in that respect. I need to better honor the King that happens to be my friend. 

I hope you have a blessed day!




Mary



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