40 Days with Jesus: Day Nine

A United Methodist pastor in a small Kansas town decided to carry a cardboard cutout of Jesus with him every day for the 40 days of Lent. This series will document some of their adventures. We have affectionately taken to calling the cutout, "CJ" which stands for "Cardboard Jesus."

By Vicky Miller

Writing about our daily activities with Cardboard Jesus has shown us where we spend our time. I guess it’s natural for a pastor and his wife to spend time at the church involved in church activities. But as we’ve read the last few blogs, Jeff and I both said, “We need to get Jesus out in the world.” Which translates into, “We need to get out in the world.”

When Jesus walked this earth, he spent time with people of all walks of life. The religious leaders often found fault with the people he associated with, and even his own disciples were shocked at some of the people he talked to.

How can we be the salt and light to those who don’t know Christ if we only hang around with other Christians? I love the way The Message says it, “You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.” And, “You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept….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.”