Chasing a Thief

Two police officers were cruising, their eyes scanning the city for trouble. Suddenly their radio came alive. “Calling all units. Robbery in progress at the mini-mart on Lincoln Street and 21st Avenue! Shots have been fired!”

The officers raced to the address. As they got to the scene of the crime, a store employee rushed out the door. Her upraised hand pointed south.

South they sped. At the next intersection the cops saw a man on the corner. His arm was stretched out in front of him. He pointed straight ahead. The cops proceeded straight ahead.

A teenager stood on the sidewalk at the next intersection. With an outstretched arm the teen motioned the cruiser to turn left. The cops turned left.

On every corner the officers saw random people who pointed out their knowledge of the thief’s escape route.

Finally the cops were directed to an alley. There they found the culprit. A large man was sitting in the alley, pointing down to the perp lying on the ground beneath him.

Are You a Pointer?

It’s unlikely that any of us will find ourselves caught up in a police chase as a “pointer.”

But how about being pointers for Jesus? If we know and love him, I believe that’s who we are.

What does that even mean? you might ask. Good question.

As followers of Jesus, we have the Lord in us. He guides us. He fills us and shines through us. His joy flows out of us.

We have been made new in Christ. He is transforming us!

When we are living for him (by his presence in us) we live humbly. After all, it’s not about us but about Jesus. And the Lord allows his light, his love, and his grace to impact others through us.

When you are going about your day you are living out the life of Christ in you. Whether you are aware of it or not—and I think being unaware is better—when people see you they may notice something about you that draws them. Indeed, it’s Jesus they are seeing.

Pointing the Way

You probably noticed in this story that the pointers did not apprehend the thief (except for the big guy at the end of the story). Today we are talking about how our everyday lives, when we trust in the Lord, can point others to Jesus. In another blog post, on another day, we will talk about ways we can share our faith with others so that they, too, can know him. Today we are focusing on simply being a pointer.

Here is a poem that expresses my sentiments about pointers. It appeared in a beautiful blog post here. I hope you take time to read it.

Indwelt

Not merely in the words you say,
Not only in your deeds confessed,
But in the most unconscious way
Is Christ expressed.

Is it a beatific smile,
A holy light upon your brow;
Oh no, I felt His Presence while
You laughed just now.

For me ‘twas not the truth you taught
To you so clear, to me still dim
But when you came to me you brought
A sense of Him.

And from your eyes He beckons me,
And from your heart His love is shed,
Til I lose sight of you and see
The Christ instead.

—by A. S. Wilson

From one “Pointer Sister” to another,
Ginger