Un~Substitute

You show up to class

and your teacher is not there,

but there is a

Substitute~

The Substitute Teacher.

There is a sense of relief,

as the students know

it will be an easier day,

that they can let their guard down

because

their real teacher will be back tomorrow.

Therefore,

The Substitute

takes abuse,

because he or she

isn't the real thing

in the eyes of the student.

But oh how I treat

Jesus

like a

Substitute

when I don't take Him seriously,

when His words go in one ear and come out the other~

When He says~

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it fear" (John 14:27)

And I instead

let my troubles add extra beats to a heart in need of peace.

When He says~

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.(Matthew 11:28-30)

And I instead

focus on the burdens that make me more weary.

When He says~

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

And I instead

am consumed with the "what ifs" of tomorrow.

But then

He says~

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

reminding me that it is

Him,

as there is no substitute

for Him~

no matter what we may be feeling or believing in the moment,

as He always pursues us

with

His words

reminding us

that

He means what He says and says what He means~

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9)

So I will no longer treat

Jesus

as

The Substitute

as I say the words,

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9)

because there is no

substitute

for

Jesus

so why should I ever treat Him as one.