Their sign is driving me nuts.
Church signs are usually fun; they're almost always eye-catching. And sometimes that's the problem - because they can be misleading, too.
It's a billboard on Butternut Drive. "Know Jesus, No Pain," it reads on one side; and on the reverse it reads "No Jesus, Know Pain." Catchy. Appealing, too. I wish it were that simple. I wish I could go up to folks and say, Yup, come on down to Good Shepherd Church and meet our savior and friend, Jesus Christ, and you'll never know pain or suffering or loss again. You'll live happily ever after. I promise. But that's not what Jesus promises.
Most of the Christians I know are deeply acquainted with pain, some of them on a daily basis, some of them minute by minute. Some have only begun to know Christ -- and some know Jesus intimately, have known him all of their lives, and walk more closely with him every day. In fact, those who have drawn me closest to Jesus seem to know the most about pain. I think that's what knowing Jesus does to you -- it makes you even more sensitive to suffering, whether it's the suffering of others or yourself. Jesus gives us a cross to bear, and he's absolutely honest about it. We don't always remember that we signed up for that cross part. The part about about Jesus' unconditional love and God's grace being free is a little easier to hear. But knowing that God's grace is free but not cheap... that's a little more complicated. Jesus never promised that following him would be easy -- he said it'd be worth it.
What we share in Christ isn't freedom from pain, like a holy bottle of aspirin or Rolaids. What we share in Christ is joy. It's the joy that comes from knowing you're not alone in this, that there's a power beyond your own self that will carry you through anything life dishes out -- and the joy that comes from knowing that you can offer that same, saving power to anyone you meet.
There is a better sign out there, directing the lonely and lost and suffering into the arms of Christ. That sign is you -- the way you live, the way you worship, the way you raise your kids, the way you dare to invite strangers and friends to be our guests at Good Shepherd. Those are the signs that count, my friends. Light up those signs, and let them shine.
Pastor Jim
If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
Matthew 16:24-25
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E-mail your comments and questions to Pastor Jim in care of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at gslc@sirus.com.