What is that?

So many times out of necessity or laziness or who knows what, we find ourselves using things in ways they are not meant to be used. Such as...

1. A straw as a toothpick

2. A wall as a back scratcher

3. A piece of paper as a toothpick

4. Anything as a pillow

5. A pen as a toothpick

6. Fingernail clippers as scissors

7. A fingernail as a toothpick

8. A book as something to prop a table

What can I say, I get things stuck in my teeth a lot. The point being we find ourselves using these things and getting a job done but it probably isn't the most productive way to get that job done. (You would think I would just buy a box of toothpicks and stick them in my truck or desk at work.) 

Jesus was talking to his disciples in Matthew 16 and said, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

The simple answer to the question, "Who do you say Jesus is?" It is very important to how we live our life. Our actions and priorities can tell what our answer really is. Our answer to this question is seen by the what we do and how we talk. The answer to this question can be told by our levels of stress. It is something that should be understood by our every day life. 

If we say Jesus is God, then we read our Bibles and pray. If we say he is the messiah then we go to church and tell others about him. If we say he is the one true God we find time to worship him daily. 

If he is just a prophet or John the Baptist then going to church and praying is a waste of time. If he is just a man who lived a long time ago then the Bible is just a history book. Sometimes, we end up using Godly things in ways that they were not meant to be used. The Bible just becomes another read. Prayer becomes meditating. Church becomes a social gathering. None of those things are bad but they are not what God intended them to be. 

Because Peter understood this and proclaimed this, God decided to make him the foundation of his church. I hope in this new year that you stop and proclaim this not just by your words but by your actions and all the things in your life. Ask yourself, "Who is Jesus to me?" Ask it daily.