Our Best

What is my best?  We get to decide — so, we should share only our best stuff. We should stop and decide if our words and actions make other people curious to know more about God. We do God no favors when we represent Him in a bad light. Let’s shine a Jesus light into the dark corners of the world each day. Make somebodies life a little brighter.

This is not as difficult as it might sound. Want to get started? Buy the stranger behind you in the Starbucks drive-thru, right now, his morning brew. Maybe you don’t like Starbucks? Go to Chick-fil-A for lunch and pay it forward. See the kid at the counter with his mom? Buy them ice cream. Why not? People will be shocked in a good way. A God way.

Jesus was shocking people all the time in the Bible with His kindness to strangers. He invited everyone to the campfire discussion. Things usually centered around God and helping people who were overlooked. We have to begin with confidence. We can do this. God will help us with the next step. Everywhere we get a chance, tell people our best Jesus story.

This weekend at Journey Church Cynthiana we’re in a series from Romans in the Bible. We take a look at chapter 4:1-25. Jump inside and bring a friend. If you’ve never seen a Bible baptism by immersion, you can see one this weekend. This may be the spark for getting you excited about God stuff in your life.

Just a moment ago, I spoke to the delivery driver at Auto Zone. I met him yesterday. His name is Joe. He and his family live in Lexington. Joe delivers parts to all the regional Auto Zone stores in central Kentucky. Joe had a question for me? He said, “You’re a church next door, right?” I said, “Sure.” Then Joe asked,  “I’ve noticed. Why does everyone who goes into your church, seem happy all the time?”

The question from Joe surprised me! I didn’t know he was watching us — he was. This morning, I saw him again. Joe responded, “What time is your Sunday service? 10:30am?” I said, “Sure is, come a little early and grab a free coffee on the Journey coffee bar.” As Joe drove away, he said, “See ya Sunday morning.”

I can confirm Journey Church Cynthiana has learned a lot, so far. Positive, non-verbal actions and smiles can make God look really good. The Bible makes it crystal clear nobody impresses people who don’t go to church — when church people feel snooty, act smug — and self-righteous. We’re not Jesus. Nobody is. But we can direct skeptical people by being nice and friendly a lot of times.

We have learned so far in Romans — we are sinners; all of us! We need a Savior. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life for everyone (John 14:6).  We’re not impressing God by what we SAY we’re going to do one of of these days. We impress God when we grow deeper faith, loving God and people who are curious about God.

What’s your best Jesus story right now?  Don’t make it too complicated. Just clarify it is mostly following Jesus and His lead every day. Speak to the stranger — show your teeth — but with a happy smile. Who knows, they may be looking for a little help. Let’s tell our most compelling Jesus story, how we got started with Jesus. Our story may pull people closer to God.      

Join us. Bring someone. Anyone. Give your best effort. Make God look good today! Smile… like you’re on "Candid Camera”! I guess we are. God is watching. And He has film. Haha