Ordinary Time 
Pause
“If God had a face what would it look like? […]
What if God was one of us?
Just a slob like one of us
Just a stranger on the bus
Tryin' to make his way home?”
Joan Osborne, “One of Us”
This 90s pop song poses thought-provoking questions. What does God look like? How do we know if God is in our midst? Would we recognize Jesus if he were sitting beside us? The Spirit of God is in our midst today, but do we take the time to see God there?
Let us take time now to focus on being people of God who recognize and welcome Jesus, not only in our hearts but also into our daily living.
Listen
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
Ephesians 1:15-19
Think
What is the best way for someone to know you have faith in Jesus Christ? How do people know you are a Christian? Paul says he has “heard” about the people’s faith in the Lord Jesus. Paul is far away from where the Ephesians live, yet he still heard about their faith. How did the people express their faith so boldly? It was through their love toward all the saints, all people around them. When we welcome Jesus into our lives, we yearn to share that same love with others. Our faith is not meant to be contained! It is meant to be lived out with other people. Loving God means loving others. When we show compassion to others we embody the love that Christ has for us. We become the image of God. What does God’s face look like? Look in the mirror today and see for yourself!
Elizabeth Cluff
Pray
God of Glory, grant me a spirit of wisdom and revelation so I can better know you. Allow me to use my knowledge to open up my own heart and share my faith and trust in you with all whom I encounter today. Allow me to live in your image. Amen.
Go
Where do you see God in your life today? Go out looking for God in your midst. Say hello to your Lord!
If you don’t see God, then maybe God is calling YOU to be Jesus for someone else. Open the door for a stranger, put down your phone to say hello to the cashier at the store, help someone out just because.
Wherever you go, God is sending you there for a reason!
