TOO MUCH JESUS?

“Yes, I’d like to return Jesus,” I said, taking hold of Jesus and laying him on the gift store counter. 

The clerk looked at me blankly, so I tried to explain.

“I bought this Jesus doll, but my granddaughter already has Jesus.”

I laugh. She doesn’t. So, I start to prattle.

“Ha, ha. Weird, right? Who would return Jesus?”

Another clerk joins her, offering zero answers and zero smiles. Was there a “No returning Jesus” store policy? 

They wait while I fumble through my purse for a receipt.

The second clerk ups the pressure, “Uh oh, better watch out! Jesus is watching you.”

So was everyone else. A growing line of onlookers stared me down as the search for my integrity became more frantic.

With no proof of purchase and nothing to lose, I stood on the edge of a strange, new mission field in the middle of what had once appeared to be an everyday, ordinary life.

“Jesus loves you!!” I declare to the curious crowd. “Jesus loves us all.”

Just then, a church friend peeks around the corner. “Nikki? Oh, it’s you! I was wondering who was trying to return Jesus!”

How could I take Him back now? 

I was all in for Jesus. 

Apologizing for my mistake, I claimed Jesus back and left there holding Him a little closer to my heart than when I walked in.

But that’s the truth about being a Christian. 

Having too much of Jesus is impossible; we take Jesus wherever we go.

But by the grace of God and a little courage, we can also leave a little Jesus behind.

“…for the Lord is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9