Jessica Albritton, Family Connections Minister, LHBC
Matthew 5:14-16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
I was recently having a conversation with a friend about mascots. I mentioned my fear of grown adults dressing up as mascots, especially when you can’t see their faces. This got us both going down a rabbit hole of finding scary mascots and ranking them on their level of creepiness. All of a sudden I remembered my time in New Orleans… Midway through my time at NOBTS the local minor league baseball team changed owners and with the change in leadership so too came the mascot. Now in minor league baseball the names are always terrible but this one takes the cake… literally.
You see, in New Orleans they eat what’s called a King Cakes during Carnival season. Traditionally, a small plastic or porcelain baby is hidden in the king cake and is a way to celebrate the Christian faith. The baby represents Jesus and symbolizes both luck and prosperity to whoever finds it. Typically whoever finds the baby is also responsible for bringing the king cake to the next party or function.
Ok, back to minor league baseball. Since the year 1993 the minor league team has been known as the Zephyrs. But in 2017 the team went through a rebrand and the new owner changed the team’s name to the Baby Cakes as in reference to the baby in the beloved carnival staple. If you haven’t seen the mascot you are definitely not missing anything, it’s a really terrifying sight (google at your own risk). One time I was at a game and the mascot came over to me and tried to give me a hug. I can assure you one thing, I was not about to hug that mascot… Instead I ran away screaming and hid until it was gone. I showed the picture of the mascot to my friend and mentioned that the mascot was supposed to represent baby Jesus. His response, “When I look at that abomination, the last thing I see is Jesus.” Ouch.
That got me thinking, aren’t we as Christians kind of like mascots for Christ? The Bible mentions being a representative of God countless times throughout scripture. Colossians 3:17 is a reminder that whatever we do should be done in the name of Jesus in order to point others to Him! Galatians 2:20 reminds believers that we no longer live but Christ lives in us! We are representatives of the one who died for us and gave us an opportunity for a relationship with Him!
Matthew 5:14 reminds us that we contain the light of the world in our hearts! That light is Jesus! It goes on to say that light should be placed on a stand, not hidden away! Our light should be one that others can see. Our lives should represent Christ so well that when others see us they glorify our Father in Heaven!
What about you? What kind of mascot are you? Do you accurately represent the Father? Or when people look at you is Jesus the last thing they see? If it’s the latter I have good news friends! You too, much like the Baby Cakes, can go through a rebrand! Spend time with Jesus and ask Him to change your heart to reflect Him! Ask Him to shine through you so brightly that when others see you they see Him!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Heavenly Father, what an awesome privilege we have to represent You and point others to You! Lord, help me not to take that responsibility lightly. Help me to look like You! May all of my actions point others to You in order to bring You glory! In Jesus name, amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Exodus 15:2
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.