You are better than a beautiful statue

I really love this bronze statue of Jesus as “The Good Shepherd”. It majestically stands on the property of Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch. I was able to be there last week one day for a conference and had an opportunity to relax outside in a beautiful setting they recently created along with their new worship center.

A statue of Jesus, no matter how beautiful, will not sit with someone in a hospital room, put an arm around a broken-hearted parent, listen to the story of a teenager who recently tried committing suicide or any number of things the BODY of Christ, the CHURCH can do. 

By the way…that’s YOU! If you’re a follower of Jesus, you are a part of His Body that is able to bring love and hope and help to this culture. We are, as Jesus said, the light of the world! 

“Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16 MSG)