Running the Roads
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
I was reminded how different words and phrases are used in different areas. For example, I was visiting my family in Vermont and my hubby commented on my use of “running the roads”. I never use this in my Minnesota conversations, but it so naturally comes back to my Vermont dialogue. Other such words include dooryard, casserole, pocket book and of course sugaring, which gives us the great syrup.
I think about this with my disability and how many words come naturally to me, but may not be in the vocabulary of others. Take for example; talking about being tactilely defensive or over stimulated. I also may mention how my eyes need a buff. These topics may have significance to me and others with the same disability, but may sound foreign to others.
Let’s take this a step further and think about the words we use to describe Jesus such as salvation, counselor, ransom, crucified & sacrificial lamb, just to name a few. I believe words like God’s love, heaven, honor, may relate the meaning of why Jesus is so important to us. Ultimately, God changes hearts, but I think we need to be careful of how we talk to others who may not know Jesus.
John 3:16 is one of the first Awana verses that kids memorize. After I became a Christian I was an Awana leader. I learned so much helping kids memorize these verses. God says without question here that he loves the world so much that he sent his son for each of us. It doesn’t say that we have to do this or that first. It doesn’t say or imply that we are not worthy…and later we learn no one is worthy. It says without question that as long as we believe that Jesus died for our sins…we will have eternal life in heaven. It seems very important and necessary to make sure that others realize they have this same opportunity for God’s love and grace.
I personally want everyone reading this to know that no matter what you have heard, experienced, believed prior to this….you are are so loved by God that he sent Jesus to take your sins and give you a special place in heaven to live for eternity. We will not need our disabilitiy vocabulary in heaven because we will be completely whole bodies. Praise be to God! If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal savior, please pray now and ask God to welcome you to the family of believers. Here is a simple prayer if you do not know what to say.
Dear Lord. I know I am a sinner. I understand you sent your Son, Jesus Christ to earth to pay the price for my sins. I want to surrender my life to you. Thank you for loving me enough to want me to be in heaven one day. In your son’s name.. Amen.
Show Jesus who you are with the action you show another. Don’t let the language get in the way.