Jesus, Strong and Kind

Jesus, Strong and Kind Isaiah 40:29-31; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-13 This past year and a half has been a time of uncertainty, sadness, change and total upheaval, and still is today. In the midst of this time, I retired and found a lot of my time devoted to getting more God in my life, which has brought me much good. Mark and I have a great nephew, Rylan, and he has two younger brothers, Eric and Avery. Once in a while they would stay a day with us to play and let Mommy get some work done, as she is a working mom. One day while they were staying with us, Rylan said very proudly, “I am singing a song at my church. Would you and Uncle Mark like to come and hear me sing?” I replied, “Oh, I would love to hear you.” I then asked, “Could you sing it to me here?” … and he started in, and he knew every word. “Jesus said that if I thirst, I should come to Him, no one else can satisfy, I should come to Him. Jesus said if I am weak, I should come to Him, no one else can be my strength, I should come to Him. For the Lord is good and faithful, He will keep us day and night. We can always run to Jesus, Jesus, strong and kind!” Wow! I was totally impressed! So I went even further and asked, “So, Rylan, if you are in trouble at school, at home or at play,what do you do? Very clearly he said, “I will go to Jesus!” You could have knocked me over with a feather! I was so happy and knew then and there that this nine-year-old (at the time) had it! I asked if there was more to the song, and he continued, “Jesus said that if I fear, I should come to Him, no one else can be my shield, I should come to Him. Jesus said if I am lost, He will come to me, and He showed me on that cross He will come to me. For the Lord is good and faithful, He will keep us day and night. We can always run to Jesus, Jesus, strong and kind!” After hearing him sing these words, I asked as to when are you singing this? He said it would be at their Christmas program. COVID-19 took over and their church, as many of us did, closed down for a while. In 2021in January they had their “Christmas program.” Mark and I masked up and went to the program. The two younger brothers sang and performed in skits and were amazing! Then the class or group Rylan was in stood up front of the masses, and they all sang Jesus, Strong and Kind. It was as if a heavenly choir was singing! How encouraging and hopeful it was and have been after seeing and hearing them sing! So many times there are tiny words of inspiration, little glimpses of hope, and they come from where you least expect them. The old adage, “But out of the mouths of babes,” was never more clear. As time went on with the past year and on to this summer, I had another visit with Rylan. He is now 10 years old and I asked him if I could speak of our visits and share it in a message at our church. I also shared how I want him to attend our service today with me and Mark. He was set to come but due to COVID contact at school, it was decided to not get him out in the masses. I asked him if he remembered singing this song at his church program. “Hmm,” he said, “I think so.” I began to sing the first verse and he joined me. He then asked me, “Just how do we ‘run to Jesus’?” I could tell he truly wanted to know. I replied, “Great question. Let me think on this.” After a few minutes my answer was, “Whenever you want to ‘run’ to Jesus or seek Him, just start talking to Him.” I added, “It’s called prayer. It doesn’t have to be anything formal or organized, just talk to Him about anything that is on your mind . If ever you need help in anyway, you can and should pray. I know this seems very simple, and in reality it is that simple. Talking to God in prayer is twofold. First, you need to talk to God about anything and everything; and the second part is listening for an answer. That part is not always easy to do but if we make time, the answers will happen.” As an older congregation, we need to remember to take time and listen to the words of younger people, questions of the children, and we need to show kindness in our response to them. Moving forward, I kept thinking and asking God in prayer, “What more is there to this message?” God has spoken to me that Jesus, strong and kind is so simple, and at the same time very extensive. I began thinking, “What Scripture should I use to show Jesus’ strength?” So many of the parables show the physical strength and the strength of faith. Jesus’ power is made perfect in our weakness. In my prayers, I prayed the same about showing Jesus’ kindness. I could share the story of Jesus healing the leper found in Matthew 8:1-4, and I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. But the point was, I just couldn’t get it right so I prayed and prayed; but then one night it just came to me. The message that God wants me to share is to “turn, or run” to Jesus by learning the words in the Bible. Reading His Word every day is the answer. That is the source of learning Jesus’ strength and kindness. Once you get into learning the Word, you learn that He does keep us safe day and night, that all our sins are forgiven on the cross. At least that is how I see it, and I know the prayers I have been praying were answered. So now as we go on from this day, let us all “run to Jesus” for everything. And be reminded that not only the young children, teens, middle-aged and, yes, even the older generation share messages sent from God. Be intentional in allowing them to share but most important, listen with your heart. Jesus, Strong and Kind! Thank you, and now with the help of all of you, we will all join in singing Jesus, Strong and Kind found printed in your bulletin.