There is a phenomenon in the southwest called “Buc-ees”. It is a place where travelers can get gas, use the bathroom but also a place where you can get “Buc-ees” souvenirs which include hats, shirts, and just about anything with their Bever mascot on it. And there is the food…just about any kind of candy, ice cream or beef jerky. But the star of the show is their fresh brisket sandwiches! They bring out the huge hunk of freshly cooked brisket and put it in the center of the sandwich assembly station and they continually crank out wonderful brisket sandwiches all day long. But when the brisket comes out, the preparer lays it on a huge cutting board and yells, “Fresh, hot brisket on the board!” And then every crew member (about a dozen) all yell back “Fresh, hot brisket on the board!” And even when you know what it is, just about every head turns to see that wonderful slab of meat hit the cutting board and start the journey to untold number of sandwiches. I was amazed at how every time I heard that back there in Madisonville, Texas, I would look and often be drawn to watch what happened next. I thought about that and couldn’t help but wonder if that feeling was a lot like what Jesus said about our lives. He said that as followers of him we are like a city on a hilltop that can’t be hidden. Or we are like a lamp that is lit and placed on a stand that draws everyone’s attention. He said that as his followers, we need to let our good deeds shine out for all to see so that everyone will praise God. Your life and
good works don’t save you. Only the grace of God, the free gift of salvation that is yours for the asking does that. But your life can surely catch the attention of the world around you as you live life like Jesus calls us to. Your love and kindness and honorable living stands out in our world. And like that cook that yells out that there is “Fresh, hot brisket on the board”…your good deeds draw the attention of the world around you. And you are not the star…God is. So, live well and that will probably be in contrast to a lot of the world around you. But let your imitation of Christ be something that will draw the world around you a step closer to the God who loves them more than they can ever imagine. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. (15) No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. (16) In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
good works don’t save you. Only the grace of God, the free gift of salvation that is yours for the asking does that. But your life can surely catch the attention of the world around you as you live life like Jesus calls us to. Your love and kindness and honorable living stands out in our world. And like that cook that yells out that there is “Fresh, hot brisket on the board”…your good deeds draw the attention of the world around you. And you are not the star…God is. So, live well and that will probably be in contrast to a lot of the world around you. But let your imitation of Christ be something that will draw the world around you a step closer to the God who loves them more than they can ever imagine. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. (15) No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. (16) In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ