WRONG TURNS

DIRECTIONS

“Yeah, can I be in your TV show?” That was the phone call my brother decided to make one day. No kidding. He picked up the phone and cold-called a talent agency in North Carolina after learning they were in charge of casting for his favorite show.

In the days before social media, video meetings, and YouTube, we had to learn about stuff through an ancient device called a telephone. One day Brian decided he would reach out and see what might happen.

When my brother called the talent agency, I’m not sure what he expected, but he was surprised by the response. The agency told him to send them a picture. Which makes sense. They were in charge of finding people to be in a show about a lot of attractive teenagers. They didn’t want someone like me showing up on set someday. If you had chipped teeth from too many soccer balls to the face and a nose you could see coming around the corner, you probably weren’t getting in. But well, if you looked like my brother, you were in. He got in.

After spending his spring break hanging out on set filming, he returned home full of big dreams. He finished the semester at the university, dropped out of school, and packed up his stuff to move to the east coast.

The day he left, we loaded all his stuff into a couple of cars and hit the road. Man, that was a long day. Back then, we didn’t have the voice of a little robot Irish lady in our iPhone telling us what turns to take. So, we used an ancient device called a map.

We drove all day. We drove all night. We drove through the Smokey Mountains and just kept driving. We stopped too long for lunch. We took in too many sights on the way. We didn’t get in much of a hurry. Finally, it was so late that we realized it was time to stop and sleep.

Back then, when you were on a road trip, you couldn’t find little private rooms or old homes someone had decided to rent out through an app on the internet. You had to stay in these ancient accommodations called hotels. The upside is that they were everywhere. So we decided to stop at one. It was full. We stopped at another hotel. It was full. So was the next one. And the next one. Apparently, they were all full. There was no room at the inn. It was starting to feel like a Christmas story.

We decided to put some more miles behind us and banked on finding one a little closer to our final stop. So we took off back down the road. My brother was driving while I watched a movie on a portable DVD player. I was trying to be good company by staying awake. Then it happened.

I looked up and saw a sign we weren’t supposed to see on our trip, “WELCOME TO VIRGINIA.” Oh boy. We had driven in the wrong direction.

WRONG TURNS

We have all found ourselves in a similar situation. We got lost. We took a wrong turn somewhere. We wound up where we never intended to go. It happens. I’ve learned that Jesus doesn’t get mad at us for missing the turn. Instead, he shows up to help us find our way.

People will get mad at you when you miss their expectations. You may get mad at yourself for missing a turn from time to time. Some people build their entire careers, or even their lives, around celebrating missed turns.

When you do miss it, there are consequences. Sometimes, there are logical consequences, like winding up somewhere you never meant to go. We hadn’t planned on going to Virginia. No one plans to be an addict, to suffer a devastating divorce, or find themselves crippled emotionally because of a lifetime of wrong turns.

That’s the danger of wrong turns. If we don’t start moving in the right direction, we’ll keep making wrong turns. They add up over time.

One of the movies I watched with my brother on our wayward road trip was literally called Wrong Turn. Ironic. It’s a terrible movie about crazy cannibal hillbillies–in Virginia. None of the hillbillies I know are cannibals. And none of them live in Virginia. But the premise is pretty on point as metaphors go: wrong turns can lead to bad things.

Taking a wrong turn on a road trip can land you in the middle of some unexpected surroundings, but so will taking a wrong turn with your life. You’ll eventually find yourself in unfamiliar territory. It’s important for us to realize this isn’t just something that happens on the outside. I’m not just talking about rooms and environments here.

When you make wrong turns a habit, you eventually wind up in a place you never wanted to be. You become a stranger to yourself. You wake up one day wondering why you think the way you do. And you may not even like the person looking back in your mirror.

This is another reason why everyday with Jesus is better than any day without him. When you reach a fork in the road, you learn to take the right direction. It starts by asking Jesus which way he would go.

WWJD

In high school it was trendy to run around wearing bracelets with “What would Jesus do?” written on them. It was like a low-tech Fitbit for your soul. Instead of being there to remind you how many steps you’d taken, it was supposed to remind you to take the next step toward Jesus. We should all be trying to figure out what Jesus would do. Once you realize Jesus actually likes you and wants to be with you, it makes figuring out what he would do a little easier. 

The truth is simple, but it takes work. When figuring out what Jesus would do–we make it way too complicated. But Jesus told us how to figure it out. Jesus said things like follow my voice, serve others, love your neighbor, be holy, and love God.

When my brother and I were on our trip, we needed our map. Every turn mattered when it came to getting to our final destination. Most Christians I’ve known have been focused on talking a lot about our final destination. Awesome. I’m 100% a fan of Heaven and, equally, of trying to get as many people there as we can. Still, we should take care not to treat every moment and every decision like something that could hijack the end result. 

I think Jesus talked so much about following him because he wanted to show us the way. Yes, the final destination is a big deal. I like the part in the Bible about eternity with a God who deeply loves us and everyone’s tears getting wiped away. But life with Jesus is about way more than what happens when you die.

Wait a second?! There’s more than heaven? Yeah, I know. It’s crazy.

Jesus showed us the way. He wants us to follow him. “What would Jesus do?” becomes our guiding philosophy because we all need a guide. We all need to understand where we want to go. We all need to know how to get there. We all need to know how to make the next right choice.

We eventually got my brother to his new apartment on the coast. We spent a week helping him settle in and taking in a new city. It was a fun week. But the thing that has always stuck with me about that trip is the trip itself. It’s one of the only times in my adult life I’ve taken off across the country with nothing but a map. The map was the key to arriving at the right place.

Jesus' words to his friends were their map. When he said to them something like, “Go and make disciples in your city, and your country, and the whole world,” He wasn’t being generic. He was giving them specific directions. He was offering a route they could follow with their lives. And they did it.

The beautiful thing about life with Jesus is that it is life with Jesus. The end result sounds pretty awesome, but the road trip is pretty awesome, too. Because it is with Jesus.

When we take the trip with Jesus, we learn what Jesus wants. We can better answer what he would do. A lot of people are really good at looking like they follow Jesus. They say and appear to do all of the right things. But their heart is a mess. It’s full of wrong turns.

Jesus talked about people like this. He said, "They look like they’re doing it right, but their hearts are far from me.”

When we begin to spend everyday with Jesus, we’ll stop looking like we’re doing it right, and start to actually do it right. Because we won’t be concerned about appearances. We’ll stop caring what anyone thinks about our next turn. We’ll only have eyes and ears for one set of directions, “What would Jesus do?” As we do, we’ll stop following Jesus for the prize and start following Jesus with our heart.

Living with Jesus everyday means we call timeout on lip service. We give up on faking it till we make it. We trade in a life of appearing to follow Jesus for a life of actually following Jesus. The end result will be pretty awesome, but everyday with Jesus is pretty awesome, too.

HERE AND NOW

GOOD NEWS

One day, my son blurted out, “Daddy, I have some bad news.” I thought he would tell me something no parent wants to hear. Like, “I don’t love you anymore.” Or “I want to play golf.” 

I was like, “What is it, buddy?” He had this super serious look. “I left my library book at school.” Whew! I was so relieved! In his world, that was bad news.Thank God for the innocence of kids!

Last year, I had a friend look at my house because we were just about to put it up for sale. He asked, “Do you want the bad news or the really bad news?” No, I’m kidding. He didn’t say that! That would have been terrible. He said what we are all used to hearing in a conversation like that: “Do you want the good news or the bad news?”

Which do you like to hear first: the good news or the bad news? That’s a no-brainer, right? Who wants to listen to the good news first and leave on a sour note? If you’re someone who likes bad news first, well, I have bad news for you–you’re weird.

The truth is we live in a world full of bad news. Sometimes, our life is even split into two parts by bad news. Here are some examples from my own journey. There was life before my nephew died and life after. There was life before my brother’s cancer and life after. 

What bad news changed things for you? Maybe it was a lost loved one. Perhaps it was a terrible diagnosis. For some of you, it was finding out a loved one betrayed you. Bad news can shake us to our core. It is personal. It is tragic. And it is real. Terrible things happen all over the world every day. But it is not the end of the story. If you focus on it too much, it will consume you.

Bad news always boils down to one of three things. Something was stolen–like property or an opportunity. Something was killed–like a person, group, or dream. Something was destroyed–like a natural disaster. Or Johnny Depp’s acting career. When something is stolen, killed, or destroyed. It can be devastating. It can be a tragedy. But it’s not the end of the story.

Here’s some good news. It is the Good News. Everyday with Jesus is better than any day without him because Jesus changes everything.

In the bible, the stories about Jesus are kicked off by a guy named Matthew. He was a dude whose story begins as a scam artist and overall crook, but he became someone else. Matthew became a guy willing to die for Jesus. He went from being willing to rob his neighbors blind to being willing to lay down his very life. What changed? Matthew encountered the Good News: everyday with Jesus is better than any day without him.

Matthew had experienced a lot of bad, and then he met Jesus. Matthew discovered Jesus changes everything. He even staked his very life on this idea. He was killed because of it. But Matthew’s journey with Jesus started with something we’re all challenged with.

One day, Jesus was hanging out with his friends when he encountered Matthew in his everyday routine. There Matthew was, sitting at his workstation, his authorized tax spot where he robbed his neighbors. Jesus saw Matthew. Matthew saw Jesus. He had to know who Jesus was. By then, Jesus had a pretty big reputation. Jesus looked at Matthew and gave the best sermon in human history, “Follow me.” And Matthew did. He got up and followed.

In one move, Matthew swapped being with the ancient Roman IRS to being with Jesus. He traded being in the mob for being a disciple. He’d gone from hurting the people to helping the people. With two words, Jesus changed everything, “Follow me.” 

Jesus changes everything—being with Jesus changes everything. When you follow Jesus, he restores who you were meant to be.

FOR YOU

After Matthew decided to follow Jesus, the whole gang wound up at his house for dinner. Something tells me that’s not what Matthew had in mind, but it’s a great picture. Many people I’ve known who say they plan to follow Jesus seem a little surprised when they find out he wants to hang out at their house. Sometimes I think it’s because we’re a little bummed by what we think he’ll discover if we let him get close. Other times I think we realize letting Jesus on the inside of our lives means putting out some things that have commanded our affections. This isn’t because Jesus demands perfection but because his love is too big to share space with anything trying to keep us from following him.

When Jesus showed up for supper at Matthew’s house, many other tax collectors and people like us showed up to eat, too. They’re called sinners. Some cranky religious guys saw what was happening and started interrogating the other disciples. Their line of questioning was pretty simple, but it’s also essential for you and me to understand. They wanted to know one thing. Why does Jesus hang out with broken people?

Have you ever wondered why God did something? It’s an innocent enough question when we’re being curious. I’m not convinced the cranky religious guys in the story were curious. I think their question was accusing. It seems they were questioning Jesus’ motives, but Jesus’ reason was simple. He saw people who had spent a lot of days without him. Everyone needs to experience their first day with Jesus before they can live everyday with Jesus. 

Jesus was pretty pointed with the religious guys. In his own way he said, “I didn’t come for the people like you who think they have it all figured out. I came for the ones who know they need me.”

There will always be cranky religious people around who wonder why Jesus showed up to hang out with you. Ignore them. They think they have it all figured out. But here’s a warning. If you think you have it all figured out–you’re one of the cranky religious people.

People who assume they have it all figured out aren’t fun to be around. They look down on the rest of us because we know we’re still working it out. They like to make you feel like you’re irredeemable, but Jesus says – you are redeemed. The religious folks will treat you like a discarded sinner, but Jesus calls you son or daughter. Religious people will keep telling you that you are lost, while Jesus simply says, “follow me.” Religious folks will show up with a list of all their qualifying expectations. Jesus will invite you into a lifetime of figuring it out with him.

FOR NOW

When we start talking about all the cool things Jesus did, it gets easy to focus on the cross, the resurrection, and our beliefs about what happens after we die. I believe in all of those things but don’t miss this. Jesus speaks the words “follow me” over all of our lives because Jesus wants to be with you right now. You don’t have to wait until everything is a train wreck to experience the good news of Jesus. Yes! Jesus will redeem your worst day. But you can experience the goodness of following Jesus through life here and now! 

Matthew became convinced of that by what he saw. He saw things that were so incredible he had to write them down! If you saw something unexplainable happen, what would you do? You’d probably put it on your Instagram or make a video about it for social media. We can’t ignore that bad things happen all the time, but we all see pretty amazing stuff happen everyday, too. Don’t ignore the incredible things because you’re too busy worrying about the bad stuff. Don’t overlook everyday miracles because you’re worried about wading through the mud.

Please hear me. Bad stuff happens every day, too. Jesus never promised bad things would stop. He promised us a path through them with him. Wading through the hard stuff is different when you’re with Jesus. I’m convinced Matthew wrote his Gospel story because being with Jesus everyday taught him that following Jesus wasn’t about what happens after you die. Following Jesus is about a better way to live.

WE ALL FOLLOW

ALL FOLLOW

If you’re a parent, you have probably had a child try to follow you out of the house. One day, my son screamed, “But I want to go with you!” from the top of the stairs as I was headed out the front door. I could hear him crying as I got into my car. The discomfort of that moment tugs on a dad’s heart. If you are a parent, you already know what I’m talking about. You have lived it.

If you love someone, you want them to go with you. It’s that simple. We want to be with people we love. We almost always recognize this even if it seems impossible in some circumstances. So why is it so hard to nail this when following Jesus?

We all follow someone. I want to follow Jesus. I want to follow him in every aspect of my life. I’ve been trying to do that for a long time now. You’re reading this, so chances are pretty good you do, too. We want to follow Jesus. But we must acknowledge that the distance between our desire and behavior is often greater than we’d like. Why? Because stuff seems to get in the way. 

Think about that for a moment. You have this desire to follow Jesus with your life, but it conflicts with your everyday circumstances. In other words, some obstacles get in the way. Impediments that keep us from following Jesus well.

Following Jesus is the best way to live. Only following Jesus leads us somewhere good. Only following Jesus leads us to someone good. But everyone is following something or someone.

Many things that people follow are not good. Many people follow their stuff. They go in search of external satisfaction. This happens when we think something we can attain will satisfy us. They chase possessions, a bigger and better home, a faster car, and more toys. This leads to debt, the rat race, comparison, envy, and more. They chase pleasure, even though following pleasure can never satisfy them in the long run. Following stuff is about worshiping satisfaction.

Many other people are following feelings in search of internal justification. This happens when we think something we can do will make us better. So they chase status, notoriety, worth, and self-esteem. This often leads to becoming a workaholic, falling into depression, fixating on selfishness, or something equally destructive.

It’s a dogged pursuit of wanting to be “okay with ourselves,” “feel good about ourselves,” or whatever. Following feelings is about worshiping ourselves. These are dangerous ways to live!

It’s critical to consider. What are you following? Because we are all following something. 

The stakes here are huge because what you follow is what you worship. I don’t want to worship stuff. I don’t want to chase the bigger house or the nicer car. Not because those things are bad. There is nothing wrong with having nice stuff. I like my stuff. I’ll probably buy more stuff this week. But the stuff in our lives will control our lives if we allow it. 

I don’t want to worship feelings and accolades. I am going to keep working hard. I have three jobs right now. And I don’t care one bit about titles. I’d be okay if no one ever called me “Pastor Nate” again. No one has to call me “Professor King” at school. In fact, I ask them not to. Why? Because I’m not chasing accolades and feelings.

The danger of following our stuff and our feelings is that they make pretty terrible gods. Because ultimately, it means we are worshiping ourselves. What you follow is what you worship.

BLIND RELIGION

Jesus developed a bad reputation among the religious people of his day. But the everyday dudes like you and me liked him. Crowds gathered around Jesus. Tradesmen laid down their tools and followed him. Why? They learned firsthand what Jesus wants you and I to take to heart. Everyday with Jesus is better than any day without him.

The religious folks didn't like Jesus. In fact, they murdered him. He got a bad reputation because he “hung out with tax collectors and sinners”. He ignored the man-made religious rules and only honored God’s law. This especially ticked them off. Jesus made life with God simple. He penetrated the religious bureaucracy, calling its cosmic bluff with every offense. 

The religious guys followed their rules—not God. Well, guess who made the rules? They did. They worshiped themselves and played like they were worshiping God. When Jesus showed up, many of them started “following” him. They would cause trouble, ask questions, and ridicule his teaching in front of crowds.

So, one day, Jesus called them out in front of the crowd. Jesus spoke blatantly out of his authority as the Son of God, saying “These people give me lip service, but not their hearts. They are full of vanity, following human rules.”

What was Jesus saying? You can’t follow him with only words. Following Jesus has to be more than lip service. 

Being a follower of Jesus is about more than a prayer. People pray a token prayer and then act like there’s nothing else to it. That’s a really disastrous way to live. Jesus doesn’t want us to follow him by going through the motions. Jesus wants us to follow him with our life. I’m not talking about moralism. I’m not talking about pursuing a bunch of man-made ideas. I’m not talking about religious duty or rules. That’s the junk the people who hated Jesus focused on. You know, the ones who murdered him.

Jesus called those guys “blind guides.” He encouraged the crowds to leave behind their blind guides as they followed him. He told them, “If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” What makes it extra spicy is that Jesus so often went out of his way to heal blind people. I’m probably wrong, but I’d like to think he turned and gave the religious guys a stare-down every time he healed another blind guy. 

If you’re following man-made stuff, you’re blind. You’re following the blind. You’re still living in the dark. You can’t follow Jesus and live in the dark. He’s the light of the world.

One night as a kid, I was running through a friend’s yard. We were playing tag in the dead of night. There was no moonlight that night. It was pitch black, and we didn’t have any lights. It was dangerous. In other words, it was the perfect little hillbilly game. I was sprinting and stepped off a sidewalk into blackness, right into a ditch four feet deep. I literally never saw it coming. I was so lucky I didn’t get hurt.

Plenty of people are blindly following the blind. They follow the outrage culture because it makes them feel good. They follow some politician because he says just the right things. They follow a singer or actor because they like their style. They follow some writer because he is so witty or intelligent. They may follow a buddy who has a few answers or some mom who makes cool videos on social media; but none of those are Jesus. It's the blind leading the blind.

I was a college pastor for over fifteen years. Each year, we had an event called Battle of the Sexes. We would divide into teams of guys versus girls and play a bunch of games. 

Looking back, I realized one of the games was so dangerous. We would blindfold the whole team, and one person would lay on a stretcher. Then, the blindfolded folks would carry the person on the stretcher. The one on the stretcher had to talk their team through an obstacle course as they raced the other team to the finish line. It was a blast, but it only worked because someone could see.

If we aren’t following Jesus, who are we following? We are following the blind. We are chasing the dark.

COME WITH ME

We need Jesus today. We need him everyday. We need him to rescue us from our own destructive behavior. We need him to help us reject our shame, shortcomings, and condemnation. We need him to help us focus our lives on something good and noble. We need him to help us love those around us. We need him to carry us forward in purpose. 

One of the best examples is Jesus’ interaction with a guy named Levi. Jesus saw Levi working one day and said, “Come along with me.” Levi had let work get in the way. He was collecting taxes. 

Sometimes, we are influenced from the outside in ways we don’t even realize. One day, we may look up and realize we’ve taken too many steps down a different path. How does this happen? It happens because of our everyday choices and decisions. 

Even good things can lead to a life that goes off the tracks. Obligations can become obstacles when we aren’t diligent. Diligent about what? About what God wants for you.

It’s not like it’s a big secret. Jesus wants you to follow him. He invites you to follow him. He compels each of us to follow him. 

Jesus takes our shame, so we will follow him shamelessly! His selfless sacrifice is the invitation into the remarkable—a life spent following the Son of God. Jesus lived and died to make a clear path for us to follow. He calls everyone to follow him. And we have to choose how to answer that call.

We see this in the story of Jesus calling Levi. Tax collectors were hated by their fellow Jews. They were seen as traitors. They were corrupt. They extorted their countrymen. Yet Jesus looked at Levi and said, “Come with me.” 

If you feel like you’ve gone too far or messed up too much, it’s never too late to follow Jesus. Why? Because He wants you to go with him. If you’ve committed your life to Christ, you want to go with him. 

Which is why it’s crazy and confusing when we realize we aren’t doing it very well. Mistakes are inevitable. Distractions are abundant. Perfection lies far outside our reach. But that’s okay. Not because we’re actively looking to self-destruct. It’s okay, because he never expected us to ace it all of the time. He loves it when I ask for his help.

Jesus wants us to follow him. Jesus wants us to hear his heartfelt words declaring, “Come with me”. Upon hearing these words, he hopes we will begin to take our first baby steps in an eternity of following Him.

When I’m playing in the yard with my kids, there’s a significant difference between how my eight-year-old son can follow me and my eighteen-month-old daughter. Ethan can run, play, ride bikes, and be adventurous. Anna tries to run, too. And she falls a lot. There are big differences in the way my kids follow me. One of the main differences is the size of the things that impede them. Ethan might shrug at the waist-high grass if we’re at the family farm. While to Anna, it would seem like an insurmountable green wall.

As we grow in Christ, the impediments change. The hurdles change. A person following Jesus closely for thirty years may not have the same struggles as someone who was just introduced to him. Following Jesus everyday leads to change, but not perfection. There will always be something trying to trip you up. There will always seem to be something else in the way. There’s always the next choice, the next fork in the road, the next potential disaster, or the next hurdle. 

Parents try hard to keep their kids from experiencing this, but God doesn’t seem to do it that way. Why? It’s because He knows what we get to learn. Hurdles aren’t disasters. They are part of the race. We’re supposed to embrace what we learn from the impediments. Take them in stride. 

Jesus didn’t consider the cross and the discomforts of the road as disqualifying experiences. They were hard, sure. But they made it worth it. What He offers each of us is the opportunity to walk in His love and grace. Not free of fault, but in spite of it. 

What happens as we follow Jesus? He takes us on the adventure of a lifetime. One that changes everything when we’re willing to go where he went and do what he did. 

WHAT NOW?

Followers of Jesus walked where he walked. When we follow Jesus closely, we walk where He walked. Our life takes us into contact with people needing God’s love. We have a better sense for where our next step should land. 

We used to ask, “What would Jesus do?” Everybody wore bracelets declaring “WWJD” when I was in high school. It is the question when it comes to following Jesus.

Decide to follow Jesus closely. There’s a good chance you’ll get tripped up along the way. When you do, you’ll bump into Him all over again. Walk where He walked. 

Followers of Jesus love whom Jesus loved. When we walk where Jesus walked, we find the opportunity to love those Jesus loved. Those who are rejected, broken, and in need. Not know-it-alls, but the down-and-outs. We all love a comeback story because we are a comeback story. Following him is our opportunity to add to the story. 

Follow Jesus closely. Walk where He walked. Love who He loved. Give what He gave.

Followers of Jesus give what Jesus gave. Faced with the ones Jesus loves, I am presented with an opportunity to give what He gave—myself. All of us have to choose this. It might mean we give our time, our resources, our attention, or any number of things. Mostly, it means we give what we can. 

This is the kind of life Jesus has invited us into: one that follows closely. Loving who He loved. Giving what He gave. When I’m getting it right, I have a better sense of where my next step should land. If I have let distance creep in, it might be harder to understand how He wants me to take the next corner.

When you walk where He walked, you’ll always find yourself moving in the right direction. Your life goes in new directions. When you love who He loved, you’ll always find yourself surrounded by people who need Jesus. Your life has a new mission. When you give what He gave, you’ll never stop living from the abundance of God’s big plan for life. What could be better than that?

WITH US

EVERYDAY

Roger looked across the table at me with a contemplative look, almost as if he was trying to remember if he'd left his oven on at home. I could tell my promise was still bouncing around in his mind, but I was hoping it would take root in his heart.

“Roger, I’ve met so many young men and women like you over the years.” I began. “People God loves who don’t know what to do about it. They think all this ‘Jesus stuff’ is really good on Sunday; but don’t let it affect the rest of their week.” We all need to learn and remember what Roger needed to grasp.

Jesus is an Everyday Jesus. He loves you. He has a plan for your life. And it is not limited to one day of the week when you wear nice clothes, go sing some Christian version of karaoke, and listen to a big personality give a faith-based Ted Talk.

God’s plan for your life is so much bigger than planned worship services in air-conditioned buildings. It’s more important than our organizations, agendas, and issues. Jesus is about the business of extending invitations. He offers an invitation to a life that is rich in love, purpose, forgiveness, and so much more.

The invitation Jesus extended to us was not a one-time thing. It’s an everyday opportunity. And we need it.

Jesus isn’t some cosmic party pooper. He's not the guy who'll take away your ice cream because there’s too much sugar. Jesus isn’t trying to squeeze all the fun out of our lives. He isn’t trying to turn us into prudish zombies. He offers a way to live that is fulfilling in purpose, unique in application, and full of freedom across the board.

Jesus wants you in his kingdom. To do that, he wants into your life. He wants to be with you, not just on the highlight reel days but also on those “I spilled coffee on my shirt” days. Because, let's face it, those happen a lot more than we'd like to admit.

WITH US

In the Bible story, an angel appeared to Mary—probably giving her the biggest shock of her life—to let her know she’d won the cosmic genetic lottery. She was going to be a mom. The mother of the Son of God. 

The angel gave a directive. He said that the baby would be called “Emmanuel,” but this isn’t a book about Everyday Emmanuel. Or is it? The directive the angel was offering wasn’t about names. It was about more than that. Emmanuel means “God with us”.

God had taken the form of a baby to come to those he loved so much. Jesus is Emmanuel. Jesus is God with us.

He wants to be with us. Everyday. He wants to be with you. Everyday. Jesus wants to be with you in the grocery store, but probably not because he wants to point out that those cookies you’re eyeballing aren’t on your diet. He wants to be there helping you in the boardroom. He’s probably chuckling when you think your muted Zoom call hides your pajama bottoms. He hopes you’ll take him with you on the subway or the next time you catch an Uber. Jesus wants to be with you at home, work, and play. He wants to be with you. Why? Because Jesus is an Everyday Jesus.

How? Well, that’s what this book is really about. But why would Jesus want such a prominent role in our lives? Why would Jesus want to hang out with us so much? Is it because he likes our style? I don’t think so. Perhaps he’s a big fan of human hobbies? No. That’s not it. It's because of how much we mean to Him. Why should Jesus be so important to us? Because of how important we are to Him. He loves you so much. He values you. He treasures you.

ONE

Every person who has experienced the incredible grace of God flood their life knows what it’s like to be valued. A first-century historian named Luke wrote down many of the stories Jesus told. Several of them highlight the importance placed on you when you were far from God. They serve as an incredible reminder of why he went through all that he did. Because you were valued. You are valued.

Luke also captured the idea that angels celebrate the moment someone decides to live everyday with Jesus. It is a celebration like none other. And if you have become a follower of Christ, there are still echoes of rejoicing reverberating through the halls of eternity.

One of my favorite things to learn about someone who shares my faith is how they came to it. The stories are as different and varied as the people I meet and ask. I’ve met people who were compelled to find God after they reached their life’s biggest dream, and it came up empty. I’ve known others who watched all they had ever loved go down the drain because of their reckless choices—and at rock bottom, they looked up to see Jesus had been searching for just such an opportunity to show them his love.

Jesus is always looking for the next one who will accept His love. Jesus is always waiting and ready for someone willing to turn their life around. Only when we step into the loving relationship God wants for us do we begin to live out the potential always there waiting. 

It’s not instant. It’s a start. The party the angels throw is about all of the good things that will come from what is taking place when a lost son or daughter comes home to our Good Father.

TOUCHDOWN

I grew up in church and was no stranger to Jesus as a kid. But one week before my twelfth birthday, I accepted Jesus’s invitation to be part of my life everyday. It happened at the end of a gathering my community had thrown on our local high school football field.

Now, I’ve never played a single down of football in my life. I was younger and smaller than everyone growing up. But Jesus said Heaven has a party when someone decides to spend everyday with Jesus. On a Tuesday night in a small town endzone, I knelt and prayed. Heaven rejoiced! It’s the closest thing I’ve ever come to a touchdown.

Everyone who has experienced the love of Christ in their life has a moment in their story just like mine. A moment when Heaven gasped in excitement and celebrated in full. But not everyday feels like a party, even with Jesus.

In the more than thirty years since that day, I’ve lived through all of the worst days of my life. Heartache, pain, loss, sin, destructive habits, reckless choices, and a litany of bad things that chose me. None of them felt like a party.

If you’ve lived through hard things, you probably know the feeling. It’s the tension between swinging for the home run and striking out, like running out of gas when you’re on your way to the most important appointment of the day.

On days like those, it’s easy for me to be my biggest critic. But I need to remember my value. It’s vital to remember who values me.

You are loved. You are wanted. You are cherished. You were grafted into Heaven’s family by Jesus himself. Who you are is summed up by whose you are—and you’re more than enough. 

On those days when it doesn’t seem so, or when something says otherwise, the voice that’s telling you you’re loved, you’re forgiven, you’re a Child of God can be hard to hear. Still your heart and your soul. Turn off the cell phone. Go for a short drive. Maybe just take a walk.

When everything gets quiet, remember this phrase: “I am celebrated. I am loved. I am His.” Why? Because your life, your soul, and your purpose carry value before God. Jesus wants you to spend everyday with him.