Jesus in the Desk Drawer

My sister is in charge of the computer lab at an elementary school that is affiliated with one of the churches in the area. Yesterday she was away, and I filled in for her. There were four classes with students in grades two, three, and four. For the most part, all was well – only two little episodes of acting up. The children were polite, engaged with their projects, and comfortable with each other. 

When I opened the drawer of the teacher’s desk to look for a rubber band, I found a tiny Jesus figure. I don’t know if my sister put it there, if it was confiscated from one of the children, or if every teacher’s desk at that school comes equipped with one. It gave me a moment’s pause. I don’t expect to see Jesus when I open a desk drawer. The truth is that maybe I don’t except to see Jesus at all. 

But maybe I should. The first part of Mark 13 is the scripture for tomorrow. Later in that same chapter, Jesus cautions: “But about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come.” (Mark 13: 32-33) 

Lots of folks these days are looking for signs and omens, prophecies to be fulfilled. They are combing through the books of Daniel and Revelation, reading fiction about the rapture, and making much of world events. But according to Jesus, they are missing the point. No one knows that time. And in the meantime, we are to keep alert, to live as if Jesus is present in every place, which of course, he is. And he is present, not watching to catch us in our sins so we can be punished, but rather waiting to walk with us through this beautiful and broken world. 

So the next time I open a desk drawer, I will try to remember to look for Jesus. And I know that if I remember to look, if I seek, I will indeed find him.