I talked with Jesus today.
I wasn't praying. I picked up my office phone and held an audible two-way conversation with Jesus. It wasn't a lengthy conversation and yet I immediately felt cared for and deeply valued. I felt encouraged, motivated and energized.
As I hung up the receiver, He said, "I love you."
Now before you think I have a higher connection, let me explain.
As editor, I often get calls or emails from people wanting to talk with me about a particular article. Today, I was returning a call to someone I'd never met. It turns out the man is an elder statesman in my faith community. He has served faithfully for decades pointing people to Jesus and a life of health and wholeness. I didn't know any of that at first.
What I discovered immediately when I spoke with him was that he cared about me. The way he spoke to me made me want to take him to lunch and have a long chat. I felt the divine working and speaking through him. It was clear by his words and tone that I mattered to him as a person.
After our conversation, I took a moment to reflect on the gift I'd just been given.
I had just spoken to a normal and a humble human. Yet there was no doubt in my mind that I'd been speaking to Jesus. This man's words and tone shared the same characteristics scripture uses to describe how Jesus interacted with people.
Jesus took time to make peopel feel seen and cared for.
What a powerful testimony. What a witness to the deep truth of what Jesus told us.
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples,” (John 13:35, NLT).
I came away from that phone exchange encouraged and motivated. I came away wanting to embody Jesus. I do! I want to make sure peole know they are loved and valued when they talk with me. When they walk away from an encounter with me, I want them not to see me but to see Jesus and know they truly matter.
Amen.
