Do you recognize Christ when you see him?

There is a saying that goes “I’ll know it when I see it.” This phrase applies to many areas of our lives- the perfect gift, paint color for the kitchen, appliance, car, even relationships! Sometimes we just know when something is the right thing or when someone is the right person. I wonder if this applies to seeing the Christ in others.

In Sunday’s reading, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Lord. John was familiar with Jesus- they were cousins. I imagine that they saw each other at family gatherings. John had seen Jesus many times in his lifetime, but it wasn’t until they were older and Jesus had begun his ministry that John recognized him as the one he had been waiting for- the Messiah.

That strikes me in an interesting way. What was different about Jesus that John could see? How did he just know? I do know the answer to that- it’s the same way we know things. It’s the guidance of the Holy Spirit- the quiet voice that we hear sometimes or the nudge that urges us to go a particular way or make a certain decision. We don’t always listen, but we should.

So here’s my struggle this week. I know that the light in me exists in others and that God loves all the people the same as he loves me. It’s a challenge for me to see the Christ in others- especially when they annoy me. I know it’s there, but what if I can’t find it? I work with teenagers and there can be a lot of apathy in the room, it’s hard to find that little spark of Jesus inside them.

My thoughts this week are to make sure my own Christ light is shining in my interactions with others and to see the Christ light in all that I meet each day. Will you join me?