Lines everywhere. Any lines to see Jesus?

"Signs and lines" is the phrase I woke up with this morning. They kind of go together; the sign says you should go this way, join the queue, and the sign-makers will do something with you. I wrote about the "signs" part in the previous post here; now for the "lines" part.

The whole book title came to me a few months ago the same way; I woke with this vision of long lines of lookalike people at the doors of churches. They were doing the same thing, the same way, the same place - joylessly. Nothing wrong with routine, but joyless routine? That's what bugs me.

Y'see, there isn't anything joyless about life with Jesus except what people make up.  He's still our king, he's still God, he's still holy and hates our sins...none of which makes life with him a miserable drudge or a fearful cringe. He's all that, but Jesus is also the good brother, the good friend, the good Samaritan, the good God. (Look it up; it's all there in his gospels. Try starting here in John chapter 15.)

So I was thunderstruck yesterday when our friend Eliza sent us a video/song I'd never heard before. Have I been under a rock? I don't think so. It's a simple song about who and what we line up for. That's the line I want to be in. Except...it isn't even a line; he's right in front of each one of us. No waiting. Just one sign, with some really good news on it.

(Where's the line to see Jesus? by Becky Kelley)

(www.wheresthelinetoseejesus.com)

Christmas time was approaching

Snow was starting to fall

Shoppers choosing their presents

People filling the mall

Children waiting for Santa

With excitement and glee

A little boy tugged my sweater

Looked up and asked me

Where's the line to see Jesus?

Is He here at the store?

If Christmas time is His birthday

Why don't we see Him more?

As I stood in amazement

At this message profound

I looked down to thank him

He was no where around

The little boy at the mall

Might as well have had wings

As the tears filled my eyes

Thought I heard him sing

Where's the line to see Jesus?

Is He here at the store?

If Christmas time is His birthday

Why don't we see Him more?

Where's the line to see Jesus?

He was born for me

Santa Claus brought me presents

But Christ gave His life for me

In the blink of an eye

At the sound of His trump

We'll all stand in line at His throne

Every knee shall bow down

Every tongue will confess

That Jesus Christ is Lord

(Repeat Chorus)

Where's the line?

Where's the line?

Where's the line for the Lord?