Looking Like Jesus

Next week, “Lord, Save Us From Your Followers” opens in our area. If you haven’t heard, this film is a documentary about a guy who traveled America interviewing people about Jesus and his followers - Christians. My immediate response is, “Why do we need another reminder that Christ followers don’t act like Christ?” Later, I realized the answer is clear: because we live in the same world as people who don’t give a flip about anything. Or could it be something else? Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” I’m guilty! I’m guilty of the same looking-down-my-nose, Bible-thumping, beat-you-over-the-head philosophy of Christianity. My guess is that if you have been a follower of Jesus for any length of time you are probably guilty too. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. So here’s the good news: you can change that today. You can slow down, look around and talk to someone you don’t know or meet someone's need, and you can do it without telling them you are a Christ follower, just letting people see Jesus in you.

This is the very reason that I think we need to occupy the Bud building. Imagine a place where people come every day to take their children to a sporting event and happen to bump into someone who is willing to share a cup of coffee and just be nice. Imagine a place where you could take your kids knowing they would be safe, where you could hang out with people who need Jesus, and they could see Jesus in you. Imagine almost 2 acres under roof where children are playing basketball, lacrosse or baseball, or where adults are working out while they are watching their kids doing all of these things. The size and scope of this facility is limited only to our imagination.

I can imagine such a place. I can! It's on Lee Road, and it's available to the Centreville/Chantilly area. You can be part of telling people about Jesus through your behavior; and, if necessary you could use words. BTW, that last line is centuries old. I think Augustine said it first.


Creed Branson, Executive Guy