I read to my kiddos from a storybook Bible each day. My older child, who is nearly 3, recognizes the illustration that depicts Jesus. This illustration is on nearly every page of the New Testament stories. Each time I turn to one of these pages, she finds the image, points to it, and says, “There’s Jesus!”
Of course, this image isn’t on the Old Testament pages. When we read these stories, she searches the images before her and asks, “Where’s Jesus?” I explain to her that Jesus had not yet been born when these events took place. This doesn’t appease her. She keeps searching for him.
She’s got it right. She’s searching for Jesus on every page. When was the last time I looked at the situations I face and asked, “Where’s Jesus?” What would happen if I examined everything I face—marriage and parenting challenges, endless homemaking tasks, interactions with friends and strangers, chronic disease, the conflicts that occupy the news headlines—and looked for Jesus. Where is Jesus in this? What is he doing? What does he want me to do?
Trying to find Jesus in every situation
Here are four things I’m doing to try to find Jesus in every situation.
- Start each day in the Word and with prayer. If I’m going to be aware of God’s presence throughout the whole day, then I need to begin the day with Him. It’s not always easy to find the time, but whether it’s for 3 minutes or 30 minutes, I begin my day by reading the Bible and praying. If you’re a mom who struggles to find time with God, you might appreciate these posts on how to find time with God as a busy mom and tools that facilitate time with God.
- Focus on myself less. I barely notice other people when I’m out and about. I’m so occupied with myself and with keeping my two young children out of trouble that I don’t take time to connect with others. I have to be intentional about looking around and seeing things other than myself and my family if I’m going to notice what God is doing and be available for His use.
- Live the Good News. The “Good News” is that Jesus won the victory over sin by dying on the cross and coming back to life for us. Those of us who have put our faith in him have victory over sin! When I’m steeped in sin, I’m not in a place where I’m easily able to focus on God and see what He is doing. Thus, I’m trying to live out the Good News by breaking free of some of my more common sins, including anxiety, judgment, and laziness.
- Turn to God when I encounter challenges. When I face challenging situations, I often turn to things other than God. For example, I’ll eat a piece or two of chocolate after putting my girls down to nap if we’ve had a rough morning or I’ll call my sister or a friend to complain about a troubling situation. There’s nothing inherently wrong with eating a piece of chocolate or visiting with a friend, but I shouldn’t use these as substitutes for God. I’m trying to go to the Lord with these challenges instead of consoling myself with other things.
When I see my daughter look for Jesus on each page, I quietly pray, “Keep seeking, Amaris, keep seeking.” The Bible promises in Jeremiah 29:13 that her seeking will be rewarded:
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Likewise, if we look for Jesus in every situation, we will find him.
Do you look for Jesus on every page? What things do you do to try to see Jesus in every situation?
Shared at the following:
Modest Monday, Tuesday Talk, Coffee and Conversation, AIM Link Party, Grace and Truth, and Moments of Hope.
I love this challenge, Shannon. I’m reading in the OT a lot lately, and I keep my eyes open for Jesus there, and now I need to apply that same strategy in my every day life — He’s here in all of it. If I don’t see Him, it’s likely that I’m looking too hard at me. . .
Boy, that’s a convicting statement. I agree. When we don’t see Jesus, it’s often because we are looking too closely at ourselves.
Thanks for this nugget of truth, Michele!