Let Others See Jesus In You

In my travels across southeast India this past winter, in small villages and large cities, I was often welcomed with folded hands, bowed heads, and the traditional Hindu greeting, "Namaste," which translates, "I bow to the divine in you." It is an humble manifestation of respect which recognizes the value of each individual and the greater presence of the Divine at work within.

As a Christ-follower, thinking of this greeting, I am drawn to Baptist hymnist, B.B. McKinney's wonderful hymn, "Let Others See Jesus in You."   Verse two says, "Your life's a book before their eyes, their reading it though and through. Say, does it point them to the skies, do others see Jesus in you?"

I know of no one who manifests this message more than Leena Lavanya, founder and director of ServeTrust. We have partnered with Leena in this great ministry for several years now and have grown to love and appreciate this faithful follower of Christ whose tireless efforts to share Christ's love in her native India have made an incalculable difference. I was privileged to watch and participate first-hand in her outreach to those who have no advocate, those who are often forgotten. She truly embodies McKinney's admonition to "let others see Jesus in you." 

This Sunday, we will be blessed to welcome Leena to Westwood and to hear stories that give evidence to the hand of God at work through Leena and ServeTrust. She will be speaking to our children during their opening time of FunDay School, and then spend a few moments with our youth before sharing in morning worship. Her visits serve to remind us of the blessing of partnership we share in the ministry of ServeTrust and I encourage you to be present to welcome and honor this faithful servant of God.

At the close of worship Sunday morning, in honor of Leena's recent birthday and the life-changing work she is doing, you will have a chance to make a special financial gift for the ongoing ministry of ServeTrust. Together with other churches and individuals around the world, we reach across the miles to make a difference so that others can truly see the Divine...can truly see and know Jesus.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday morning.

Jim Abernathy