The Little Girl was Right

I know it's cliche for pastors to start any message this way, but I heard a joke today that goes something like:

A little girl told her momma she was going to draw a picture of God.  Her momma said, "But sweetie, no one knows what God looks like."  She said, "Well, they will now."

Yes.  That's it.  That's who we are.  We are people who show the world what God looks like.  We show people God through our thoughts, words, and deeds.  We show people God through how we love them, love each other, and love all of creation.  We show people God by how we live out being the faithful people call together through the waters of baptism, sustained by the bread and cup, encouraged by the community we share. 

I was reminded last week in Dallas that visitors to our congregation make up their mind within the first 4-10 minutes of their time with us whether they will be back.  What are we doing with that first 4-10 minutes?

If we are to be serious about living out God's call, we had better be using that first 4-10 minutes like we are to use the other minutes in our lives, by showing others what God looks like.

Really, whether we want to admit it or not, we do give people an image of God, for we gather in his name.  And this is not simply within the bounds of North Cross UMC.

Whether you are reading this message at home, at work, at play, while driving (just kidding, I hope) - on your desktop, laptop, tablet, phone, or TV - remember that in the next few minutes, you will have the chance to show someone what God looks like in the sound of your voice, the smile on your face, the tenderness in your handshake or hug, or a number of other ways.    

What image of God are you showing them?  

See you Soon!

Lamar