Couple of Sunday mornings ago, I took a couple pages of notes during the sermon.
Couple of words rang with me, like a bell ringing on a clear calm and cold night…. “Among Us”.
The preacher told a story of a monastery from long ago that was on hard financial times, in dire straits and facing imminent closure.
In hopes of discovering some unforeseen path forward, the head of the monastery, the Abbot, went to meet with a wise man for counsel but, after laying out the state of the monastery, the wise man saw no path forward that did not ultimately lead to closure. However….
Upon departure, the wise man told the Abbot that while he did not know who it was, he felt certain that The Messiah was there at the monastery…. among them.
Encouraged, enlightened, empowered, and emboldened, the Abbot returned home to enthusiastically relay this news lf The Messiah’s presence to the monastery community.
Believing the Abbot, and not knowing who The Messiah might be, the entire community changed their approach to literally all aspects of living.
Extra care was taken of the grounds, extra grace was extended among all fellow residents and, as the hearts, minds and actions of the residents changed, so did the culture within the community.
As a result, new residents were attracted and with them came new ideas, new resources began to flow their way, the monastery was not only saved but began to flourish.
All of this because the people of the monastery believed one simple thing, that The Messiah was…. Among Them.
Now, what if I took that same principle and applied that belief to my own life?
What if….
I woke up each morning and believed that The Messiah, was among the members of my own family, and served them accordingly?
I went to work each day and believed that The Messiah was among the members of my office, and served them accordingly?
I went through my client list, believing that among them was The Messiah, and then served each client accordingly?
I viewed my church, as though The Messiah was among the parishioners or clergy, and then served in my church accordingly?
I viewed each stranger I interacted with throughout the course of my day as potentially being The Messiah, and treated them accordingly?
I could keep going but lastly, what if….
I treated myself, my mind, the temple that is my physical body, like The Messiah himself resided there, inside of me?
That may seem far-fetched but, if we all treated our homes, our families, our organizations, everyone we came I contact with, as well as ourselves, like The Messiah was among us, or within us, what would that world look like? What would we look like?
As Christians, as Believers, The Messiah is indeed among us, and within us, through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit that is given to us freely upon accepting Christ as our Savior.
With this in mind, treat others and treat yourself accordingly.
Show some Grace to others, and give yourself some along the way.
In Christ, we are never alone. He is always with us. He is always…. Among Us.
Get In The Boat. Do Your Part.
From Nose To Toes!
Shane / #16