I don't know who she is....Let others know you KNOW Jesus!

At my office, I hear my name what feels like hundreds of times a day.  Sometimes when I hear someone call out to me or ask where I am, I call out, "I've never heard of her."  For some reason, that never stops people from walking in, starting to talk, asking for help or sharing something with me.  Usually, the only thing it does is cause a brief chuckle or get a response like this  "you are crazy." However, it never stops people from approaching me or continuing with their purpose!  There are few places I go in our town that someone doesn't know who I am because of my job. Ah, the joys of being a social worker. Never a dull moment!

I tried this the other day at home when my kids called out "where's mom?" I said "I have never heard of her."  They both ran to me, told me I was a nut, and continued with what they needed from me.  So denial clearly is not working for me.

Escaping who I am is never going to happen even on my craziest of days.  God created me to serve others, to be His hands and feet, and to tackle some of the craziest of problems.  I actually love it but sometimes a spa retreat seems appealing!  Last night, in my quiet time, I pondered my comment.  "I've never heard of her."  Clearly, a misnomer since I am her!  It took me to a much deeper place...how many times have we denied Christ if not in our words but our actions.

I began to think what is my response to the cross.  When I hear people talking about Jesus do I call out "I KNOW HIM!" or do I remain silent.  When I hear people deny Christ, do I remain silent, do I have a Peter like moment and imply that I do not know Him? 

In Luke 22-After being asked if he knew Jesus,  60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” We all know Peter knew Jesus well, He loved Jesus, He served beside Jesus. But suddenly, he was caught in a dangerous place...to know Jesus may cost him his life so in his moment of weakness, denial gripped him.

I suddenly thought of all the times I have seen posts on social media and hesitated in responding because I wanted to be politically correct or avoid offending others. I thought of times I have sat silent when I had plenty of words to say.  Conviction of my silence and lack of actions being indicative of "I do not know Him."  May we not be silent during this CHRISTmas season -- our silence or actions say we don't know Him.  

SO, I do KNOW HIM!  I cannot deny who I am in Christ, I will not deny who I am in Christ. May we exude who He is in us everywhere we go.  It is Merry CHRISTmas not Happy Holidays, it is Jesus' birthday we celebrate.  On someone's birthday, we only celebrate them so let's remember that this is Jesus' birthday.  The song says it so well...Happy Birthday Jesus, we're so glad it's Christmas...all the tinsel and lights and the presents are nice but the real gift is you!

Luke continues---Just as he (Peter) was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Let's live with no regrets...JESUS we DO know you!  

Peter didn't stop there...he went on to win 3,000 souls to Christ in his first sermon and he was the leader of 12 apostles of Christ fulfilling this truth  Matthew 16:17: "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." 

Regardless of any mistakes we have made we can still fulfill God's purpose for us!