Where's Jesus?

Every Saturday, I clean a little community church in Hickory Flat, Georgia. The first weekend I was there, I noticed a little Jesus toy on the floor. I picked it up, put it on a shelf, and continued cleaning. The following week, I noticed others placed in various spots throughout the church—one taped to a light switch in the media room, one above the door going into the chapel, one on a sign above a children's room, and even one hidden in the baby changer in the men's room. I chuckled as I thought of "Where's Waldo."

Tonight, as I was there again, I began to think about those little toy Jesus figures. The Spirit spoke to me, and I started to wonder: what was the real purpose behind those "hidden" figures? Was there a message in it? Is it about finding Jesus, or is it about the fact that Jesus can be found no matter where you are—even in the men's room? 

This realization brought me to an important truth: Jesus can be found anywhere, no matter our circumstances, location, or state of mind.

Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

In the Bible, we see countless examples of Jesus meeting people right where they are, regardless of their circumstances. Consider Zacchaeus, a tax collector despised by his own people. In Luke 19:1-10, Jesus meets Zacchaeus up in a sycamore tree and invites Himself to Zacchaeus' house. Zacchaeus' life is transformed by this encounter. This story shows that no matter where we are—physically or spiritually—Jesus is willing to meet us.

Finding Jesus in Unlikely Places

Sometimes, we might feel that our situation is too mundane or too far gone for Jesus to enter. However, Scripture reminds us that Jesus is present in all aspects of life, even the seemingly insignificant or uncomfortable ones. In Psalm 139:7-8, David writes, "Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." This passage reassures us that there is no place we can go where Jesus is not present.

Jesus in Our Everyday Lives

The little Jesus figures in the church reminded me that Jesus can be found in the everyday, ordinary places of our lives. Whether we are at work, at home, or even in the men's room, Jesus is there. He is not confined to Sunday services or moments of prayer alone. Colossians 3:17 encourages us, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." This verse reminds us to acknowledge Jesus in every part of our day-to-day lives.

The Purpose of Hidden Jesus Figures

The hidden Jesus figures in the church serve as a playful yet profound reminder that Jesus is with us always. Their presence in unexpected places makes us smile and think, much like Jesus' presence in our lives should bring us joy and reflection. They remind us to look for Jesus in every situation, to seek His presence and guidance no matter where we are or what we are doing.

Conclusion

Finding Jesus is not about searching in specific places but recognizing that He is already there, waiting for us to notice Him. The message of those hidden figures is clear: Jesus is present in every aspect of our lives, from the most sacred spaces to the most mundane. We just need to open our eyes and hearts to see Him.

So, the next time you find yourself in an unexpected or challenging place, remember the little Jesus figures and know that Jesus is there with you. As Jesus Himself said in Matthew 28:20, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

May we always seek and find Jesus, no matter where we are.