Happy Friday, everyone! Jesus told his disciples, “Go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I’ve commanded you. And I will be with you always to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19)

It was just a couple weeks ago when I was surrounded by people from all nations at the Rose Parade. I want to share a reflection about that experience. As the float turned on to the parade route, a wave of sound just rolled toward us. Cheers. Laughter. Thousands of smiles welcoming in the New Year. I’ve watched the Rose Parade my whole life. I grew up watching it. But sitting atop that float, rain falling, I felt a profound gratitude.

It was surreal. An iconic tradition, seen from inside for the very first time for me, with every wave returned in real time. What struck me most was the closeness. On TV, the crowd seems distant, but in reality, people were just feet away. I exchanged smiles, wished them Happy New Year and witnessed the joy of interacting with so many people.

But what moved me most was their reaction to Jesus on our float. In a divided world, seeing hearts touched, reminded me we need to be right where people are. This wasn’t just a parade. It was a witness. I saw the church and culture side by side in that shared space. We proclaimed Jesus as Savior.

I want to share with you the hope I felt that even in the rain, even in the noise, the message of love and salvation finds a home in every heart willing to receive it. So, go today, and as you go, share Jesus, that the world might know of His love and His salvation.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, You did send us into the world to make disciples. And that’s because of Your great love for people – to save people who are stumbling in darkness, people who are struggling to find a way into an abundant life.
And Lord, that abundant life is something that You have and that You offer. Most importantly, You offer the forgiveness of all of our sins, and You free us from the hold that sin has on us, and the eternal sentence that sin has on us. And so I pray, Heavenly Father, that You would send us this day and this weekend, that we would share the love of Jesus, that we would be where people are, especially those people that need to see the light that comes from You.
Shine that light through us, through our words, through our actions, and through our presence. And we pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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