Jesus may have helped build this stone theater
By Bill Gaultiere © 2009
Much of our lives includes ordinary work and chores. We all have to do things that don’t excite us at work or around the house or in running errands. It’s easy to lapse into feeling bored, empty, or like we are trivial. Or to complain (in our thoughts if not out loud) about what we have to do.
This was my temptation beginning my Monday.
To keep from grumping along today I picked up a special prayer rock. It’s piece of the outdoor stone theater in Sephorris, Israel. Jesus may have helped to build this marvelous theatre where the “play actors” (same word as “hypocrite” in the Bible) performed.
“Blue Collar Savior”
As I’ve held my rock today I’ve thought about Jesus working hour after hour as a carpenter or a stone cutter. I’ve thought about my “Blue Collar Savior” smiling as he serves hard to please customers and blessing them when they complain. I’ve considered how probably he loaned out his tools and sometimes they were damaged or not returned, but still he was generous with people. I’ve imagined him meditating on Scripture and praying cheerfully while he worked.
For most of his life on earth Jesus worked an ordinary job in an obscure village, loving God and people, praying and playing with his Father, day after day.
Today, Jesus is helping me to appreciate his presence in my midst as I do many ordinary tasks. I am reminded that Christ is the source of my identity. In the words of the Apostle John: “I am the disciple Jesus loves!”
This is the Gospel for you too: “YOU are the disciple Jesus loves!” Could there be any greater cause for rejoicing than that? What a joy it is to connect with Jesus and learn from him—even on a mundane Monday!
More Soul Shepherding
My book, You Can Live in Jesus’ Easy Yoke, unpacks many aspects of Jesus’ quiet years in Nazareth and his “out of the spotlight” life with the Father. Knowing the way Jesus lived personally and learning how to apply this to the challenges and opportunities of your life is a tremendous help!
Bill Gaultiere, Ph.D. & Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ http://www.soulshepherding.org
