Dear First Baptist Family, 

Last week at a meeting, a friend gave me a “little Jesus.” It’s a very small figurine of Jesus with a big smile on His face and open arms. 

“I thought you could use a little Jesus,” he said, grinning. “We all need a little Jesus.”

Even a little Jesus can make a big difference. Wherever Jesus goes, things get better.

I put the figurine on my dashboard next to a few ducks (I drive a Jeep Wrangler now) and headed back to our church campus. On the way back, I decided to go through a drive-through for coffee.

The line wasn’t long, but it felt like I was waiting forever. 5 minutes…6 minutes…by the time I actually got my coffee, I was a bit frustrated. When I gave my credit card and asked for a receipt, another minute passed. Then I was told no receipt was available due to a computer problem. 

Now I was a bit annoyed. Typically the frustration would be shown on my face, or worse, come out in angry words. But just as I was about to step into a negative thought, I looked through the drive-in window and saw the same little Jesus figurine by the cash register.

What would Jesus have me do in that moment? 

I took a breath, then said, “No worries. Thanks much and have an awesome day.”

My theme verse for this year comes from Colossians 3:12-15:

“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” 

I don’t know about you, but I need help to live my faith. I need Jesus to abide in my heart. I need the power of the Sport to make the choice every day to put on – like clothes – compassion and kindness and humility and gentleness and patience. 

Yesterday evening, I was sharing with someone about what happened as that “little Jesus” sat on my dashboard. Then I felt led to give that Jesus away.

“Maybe you could use a little Jesus,” I said to the person. They laughed, just as I laughed when someone gave “little Jesus” to me.

Did you know that the word “Christian” actually means “little Christ”? All of us who follow Him are “little Jesuses.” We imitate His way, live by His teaching, and bless through His Spirit. 

If you need more of Jesus today, just ask God. God is so generous to us.

Or perhaps you feel led to pass on a little Jesus to others. 

Just a little Jesus can make a big difference. 

With love, 

Pastor Brent McDougal