I watch, read, listen, and consider this messy world where I live. How am I supposed to respond? I could pull away into my bubble and isolate myself. I could shun people and places. I could build a soapbox and take a public stand against all the things I oppose. Or I could behave like Jesus.

Consider how Jesus responded to the messy world in which He lived. He ate with, conversed with, sat with, and touched all those whom the self-righteous had banned. He remained among the brokenness without embracing the mess. His presence with the hurting gave Him access to offer help. He was a beacon of light in the darkness. Some rejected Him, but He was the fixer of those who came to Him for fixing.

How quickly I forget that without Jesus I’m as much a mess as the world around me. In spite of the fact that many of my life choices certainly displease Him, Jesus never removes Himself from me, He never shuns me, nor does He ever humiliate me with public opposition. Rather, He always comes in close to embrace me and offer me help. I am broken, but when I ask Him, Jesus fixes my brokenness.

Jesus has changed my life, but He didn’t force me to change. He changed me because I saw my need and asked Him to do so. This change in me is a testimony of Him; it’s an offering of hope in the midst of hopelessness; it’s a beacon of light in darkness. I am supposed to offer life from the life He’s given me. My life change should reflect Christ, but if I hide away or build walls no one will be able to see Him in me. The messier the world gets the more I need to trust the power of His work in me not only for myself but for others as well. There are some who are not looking to be changed who may reject what my life represents. But many are looking. It would be a shame if I did not show up with my offering of hope.

It is not my responsibility to fix what is wrong in the world. Only He knows what needs to be fixed and how to fix it. The only thing I am supposed to do is represent Jesus. He will take care of the rest. He's the fixer!