Surviving Chaos

This is Mini Jesus.

A while back, Dakota Fox, our NextGen youth minister, came up with a creative idea for a teaching illustration for our students. He ordered a large bag of “Mini-Jesus” figurines. It proved to be a huge hit but shortly after Mini-Jesus started showing up everywhere: in the hallways, in the sanctuary, and even in the bathrooms. It became sort of a scavenger hunt; you never knew where Mini-Jesus would pop up next.

One Wednesday afternoon, while diligently working on my Bible study, I needed a break. It had been a long day, and I needed some encouragement. So, I headed over to the gym for a walk and some prayer. As I walked laps I prayed out loud, “Father, please show Yourself today. Remind me You are still near.”

As I rounded the corner, I looked up and there, sitting on the bulletin board, was Mini-Jesus, smiling at me with open arms.

I laughed and thanked God for answered prayer. I picked Mini-Jesus up and carried Him back to my office. God had given me the encouragement I needed. When I sat down at my desk, with renewed motivation, I saw something which had been hidden from my view. There, sitting quietly behind my computer speakers was another Mini-Jesus the whole time. It was as if God was saying, “I’m here. I’ve been here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

As I think back on that moment, I’m reminded of two powerful truths:

First, Jesus is always with us!

In Matthew 28:20, Jesus said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

That promise wasn’t just for the disciples. It’s for us too. Jesus is with us in the ordinary moments and in the unexpected situations. He’s with us at church, at home, at work, and even when we’re out for donuts.

There isn’t a place or situation where His presence isn’t near. Even when we feel distant or distracted, He is there Watching, Waiting, and Working.

Second, you tend to find what you’re looking for.

While pacing the floor of the gym, I asked for clarity and encouragement. God reminded me that Jesus was Walking the gym floor right beside me. I wasn’t walking alone.

And that’s what brings us to this moment of communion.

When we take the bread and the cup, we’re not just remembering a moment from the past, we’re acknowledging that Jesus is here, right now. Every broken moment, every burden carried, everything can be brought to Jesus and laid at his feet as our worship.

The bread represents the body of Christ, broken so we might be made whole.

The cup points us to the cross, telling a story of our Savior who gave everything for us.

Together they both declare that the cross was not the end, but the beginning of a love that walks with us daily.

Maybe you’ve lost sight of Him. Maybe it’s hard to see Jesus through the noise and pain.

This is your moment to look up again, to see He’s been there all along watching, waiting, and walking beside you.

The bread and the cup aren’t just symbols of what Jesus did; they are proof that he is right here, right now, inviting you to come close to him again.

Pray