What Would You Do

My family used to listen to a lot of Country Gospel music when I was growing up.  My dad had tons of cd's and records that most kids my age would have hated to listen to.  Call me crazy, but I loved it.  I remember there were times when I was alone and I would sneak to my parent's "stereo system" which consisted of a radio (obviously) two cassette tape players (remember those things??  =)  haha), a (now) seriously dated 5 cd disk changer thingy-ma-bob, a record player, and some other stuff.  My dad was very protective of his records.  He was always used extra care with them, making sure they never got scratched.  I remember sneaking the records out to listen to.  I always made sure I was super careful cause I didn't want my dad to know I was messing with them.  Shame on me, I know...but I've repented since then - it's all good...  ;)  haha  I also remember filling the 5 disc changer up with various Country Gospel cd's and just sitting and listening. 

I always preferred the catchier upbeat songs (I WAS still a kid, after all!), but there were a few slower ones that I enjoyed as well.  One song in particular has always stuck with me.  It's an old song by Porter Wagoner.  Who is Porter Wagoner, you ask?  I ain't got a clue to be honest with ya!  haha  =)  I really don't know a thing about the guy except that he was a singer.  I couldn't tell you what other songs he sang, what his character was like, if he was a good husband or not...nothing.  What I can tell you is that this particular song has made a difference in my life.  The lyrics in this song are powerful, in my opinion! 

(What would you do

what would you do

if Jesus came
to spend some time with you)

 

If Jesus came to your house

to spend a day or two

If he came unexpectedly

I wonder what you'd do

 

When you saw him comin'

would you meet him at the door

With arms outstretched in welcome

to your heavenly visitor

 

Or would you need to change some things
before you let him in

Like burn some magazines and
put the Bibles where they'd been

 

Oh I know that you'd give your nicest room

to such an honered guest

And all the food you would serve to him
would be the very best

 

And you'd keep assuring him

that you were glad to have him there

That serving him in your home

was a joy beyond compare

 

But what about your family conversation

would it keep up its normal pace

And would you find it hard each meal

to say a table grace

 

Would you be glad to have him stay

forever on and on

Or would you sigh of great relief

when finally he had gone

 

You know it might be interesting to know the things you'd do

If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you

 

(What would you do

what would you do

if Jesus came

to spend some time with you)

The version my dad had also included the lines: "Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closests friends?  Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends?"  Now, I don't know about you, but words like these really make me think!  On the actual YouTube page, the uploader of the video put a description that said, "Think about it, sinners."  I'll be honest - those four little words bugged me a little.  I know what he/she meant and the point they were trying to get across, but to me it seemed to hold more of a condemning tone than a loving one.  I have a hard time believing that I can truly reach out to people if they feel that I'm condemning and looking down on them...but that's another story entirely...

Anyway, when I hear this song, I don't think, "Oh this would be an amazing song for 'sinners' to listen to!"  No.  I actually think, "Wow, if only more BELIEVERS thought about things like this!"  The number 1 'complaint' (if you will) that I hear from 'believers in waiting'...  ;)  is that they were completely turned off by so called Christians because of the way they talked, acted, and treated others.  I have actually told Eric (talking about a non-Christian friend of mine) that the way she lived her life...she actually made a better "Christian" than a lot of real Christians I knew.  This was extrememly sad to me. 

Now, I don't mean - in any way, shape, or form - to sound judgemental.  Quite the opposite, actually.  What I want to do is to encourage you!  Speaking for myself, I know that there are many things in my life that I would change in a heartbeat if I knew Jesus was coming to spend some time with me.  I wouldn't say some of the things I do.  I wouldn't watch some of the movies I watch.  Shoot, let's face it - I wouldn't eat some of the things that I eat!  haha  =)  But you see, my choices don't just affect me.  My choices will affect my family.  My choices will affect my friends.  But most importantly, my choices will affect how people view Jesus.  I am supposed to be a 'representative' of the one I serve.  I am supposed to show others the love that Jesus has shown me.  I am supposed to strive to live the way that I think He would want me to.  I love to think about these lyrics and how I would truly act in certain situations if I had Jesus standing right next to me.  I think a lot of us would change numerous things in our day-to-day life if Jesus was right here with us.

But that's just the thing!  Jesus IS right here with us!  He will never leave us.  He will never forsake us.  He knows exactly how we act at every moment of every day.  He sees every little thing we do, even when we think we are alone.  He knows every thought we think, even before we think it.  He knows that I am a flawed human being.  He knows that I am a screw up.  He knows that no matter how hard I try, I will never get it all completely right.  He knows that the mistakes I made today, I am probably going to make again tomorrow. 

What do I know?  I know that, even though I make gigantic, horrible, what sometimes seem like irreversible mistakes....He still loves me. 

HE loves ME! 

The Creator of the Universe - the One who holds that very same Universe in the palm of His hand - THAT GUY....He loves me!  He takes me just the way that I am, flaws and all.  Am I a better person than I once was?  I'd like to think so.  Am I perfect?  Absolutely NOT!  But I walk daily with a God who helps me to make the right choices.  A God who guides and directs my path in life.  Do I always listen to him?  Unfortunately, no.  Sometimes I think I know better.  Sometimes I am defiant and want to do the opposite of what I know I should do.  Sometimes I even think that I *gasp* don't need Him and can take care of things myself.  But through it all, He is still there, He still loves me, and He still forgives me. 

I challenge you - think about what YOU would do if Jesus were with you in the flesh.  How would you act?  What would you change?  Try to live every day as if you can actually see Jesus sitting there on your couch right next to you.  But if you screw up - He doesn't expect you to be perfect.  He knows you will make mistakes.  And He is readily willing and able to forgive you. 

And remember that through it all - HE loves YOU!