Lifted Too High!

April 16, 2020

My wife and I were out for a walk last week when we encountered a family playing ball in their front.  It’s one of the good things I am seeing in the midst of our “shelter-in-place” response to the Covid-19 virus.  Families are spending time playing and praying together as well as sharing meals and moments together.

As we walked by (at a safe distance mind you!), the little girl noticed us.  She quickly turned to her mother, pointed at me, and commented; “There’s Jesus!”  The little girl knew me from two places; the preschool at our church and worship on Sunday mornings.

It felt good to be recognized.  However, it was more than a little frightening to hear a child announce that I am the Son of God!  That’s a lot of responsibility to carry!!!

I was reminded that no matter who we are and what we do, there is always someone watching.  It matters if what I say matches up with what I do.  It matters to a little child, it matters to me, and it matters to the Lord God.

In I John 3:18 (CEV) the Apostle John writes; “Children, you show love for others by truly helping them, and not merely by talking about it.”  I learned this life-lesson from my parents; make sure your words and your actions are consistent!

Imagine if that little girl believed I was Jesus and she heard me say something hurtful to my wife.  Imagine her ball coming over the fence and I did not throw it back to her.  Imagine my response was to yell at her, “What are you looking at, kid?!?!” 

In her mind, something would be very wrong.  She knows Jesus will not hurt people.  She knows Jesus will help get her ball back.  She knows what Jesus’ love looks like, feels like, and acts like.  It is important for our words and our actions to be consistent.

As hard as we try, there will still be times when other people will have an opinion of us that is too high.  A little girl had lifted me too high; I am not the Son of God!  It can happen to a coach, a teacher, a business person, a next door neighbor, or a parent.  We can be lifted into the place of God. 

During the middle of the first century, Paul and Barnabas were preaching and teaching in Lystra.  The teaching was so profound, the preaching was so inspired, and the miracles were so astounding that people believed that Paul and Barnabas were gods. 

The crowds were convinced that Paul was Hermes and Barnabas was Zeus (these were Greek gods).  In Acts 14:18, we hear how out of control things became when Paul and Barnabas were lifted too high.  We hear; “Even after Paul and Barnabas had said all this, they could hardly keep the people from offering a sacrifice (i.e., worshipping them as gods) to them.”

Paul and Barnabas had been lifted too high and they knew the spiritual and physical dangers.  They respond quickly and with great clarity.  In Acts 14:15 we hear; “…they tore their clothes in horror and ran to the crowd, shouting:  Why are you doing this?  We are humans just like you.  Please give up all this foolishness.  Turn to the living God…” 

And there is the point; if you believe I am God, then you are distracted from loving and serving Jesus who is the Son of God.  When you are lifted too high, the expectations of other people as well as your actions and words will often not match up.

As we continued our walk, my wife reminded me in no uncertain terms that I am not Jesus…or anything close.  In Paul’s words, I am a human just like you.  Instead of lifting up another person too high, consider lifting up Jesus as the living God.

There will be far less disappointment when I let Jesus be the Savior.  And, there will be far greater joy when I let Jesus be Lord of my life.

Take delight in the Lord!

Doug