FRIEND OF JESUS (by Mike Ivey)

mike ivey plays the role of master lewis. mike has been a part of our seasonal productions for many years. thanks mike for sending this to me.

Friend of Jesus

It is Easter afternoon. I have just eaten and looking forward to removing some of the excess growth from my face. You see I just participated in the Easter program at Owensboro Christian Church. While standing in front of the mirror, with my beard trimmer in hand, I am pondering what has taken place this past week.
As in any program such as this, it is a hectic time. There are times when you wonder if it will all come together. But then things start to gel and you can see the finished production coming into view. Then you can shift your focus from learning what to do and how to do it to what it is really all about. There are moments when you almost feel like you are the character you are portraying. Excitement and sorrow comes over you just like it would have happened back then.
Then came the question that I have thought about ever since I first started looking at myself in the mirror. While in costume and in the hallway at church, a two or three year old girl came up to me and asked, “Are you a friend of Jesus?” I answered her simply, “Yes I am.”
As I thought about her question, new questions came to me. Isn’t that really what it is ultimately all about? Are we friends of Jesus? Do we know him like we should to be considered a friend? Considering all that friendship brings with it. How simply a perfect question that sums up what this week was all about.
I assume she asked me that question because of the way I looked and was dressed. But I now consider it an honor to have been asked it. I am almost finished with the beard trimming and I will not look as I did before. It is quite possible I will never be asked that question again. But I know that even though my appearance has changed, I am a friend of Jesus. I hope you are one too.


Mike Ivey