#11 of 52 Spiritual Deposits: Jesus Riding Shotgun

My kids constantly fight over who sits in front. 

“I’ve got shotgun.” “NO! I’ve got shotgun.”

Could Jesus ride shotgun? Is Jesus riding shotgun? Who’s riding shotgun?

Think about it. Jesus riding shotgun. With you. While you travel. While you reach stop lights. While you head off to work. On the bus. On the train. In your car. 

Would you behave differently? I do. My deeds increase. My service attitude changes. My Jesus attitude sparkles.

Sitting at a stoplight. Homeless man. With Jesus riding shotgun, I turn to glance at Jesus. Not necessary. I know what to do. Help him out. Provide a few bucks for a meal. With Jesus riding shotgun, no reason to ponder, get out your money. 

Imitate Christ. Imitate His passion. Assist others. 

I’m not sure I’d ever get where I’m going if Jesus rode shotgun. Jesus would stop at every corner. He’d ask that I pull over countless times. He’d direct me to locations and places of those in need. I’d be on an endless journey. Finding those in need. Caring for those around us.

In effect, Jesus rides shotgun. Today. Now, more than ever. Jesus rides shotgun with me daily as I embrace deposits to His Kingdom. As Jesus rides shotgun, the world changes. Our outlook changes. Our deposits change. 

Try it. It’s fun. Include your children. Pretend Jesus is riding shotgun. Leave the passenger seat empty. I did. My son, daughter and I rode to the mall. Kids in the back, me and Jesus in the front. The chatter was wonderful. The reflection permanent. As we tooled around town, we witnessed Jesus frown as others in our path honked. As others sped past. Cut people off. Obviously no shotgun partner. On other occasions we witnessed kindness, caring, politeness…Jesus must be riding shotgun with those families. 

As we played our game of “Find Jesus Riding Shotgun,” we noticed we cared for others. We cared for strangers. We made an effort to be kind. To be warm, welcoming. We searched for cars with Jesus riding shotgun.

Our deeds, our service to others, our deposits, reflect whether or not Jesus is riding shotgun. As Jesus jumps in our car, we change. We focus on deposits. We recognize that it isn’t about us, and we focus on others. Allow Jesus inside your car. Allow Jesus to ride shotgun. He’ll change your focus. He’ll change your attitude. He’ll change your outlook on life, and how to live it. Jesus riding shotgun.