Dashboard Jesus

By: Carole L. Haines

⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty…I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw… (Revelation 1:8, 12a)

I turned to SEE a voice. What strange wording of what is happening here in Revelation 1. We’d expect it to say, I turned to HEAR a voice. As I pondered this, I was drawn to the image of my little Jesus, smiling at me from the dashboard of my truck. He was given to me by a friend, and I just thought it would be cute to have Him there. But this tiny figurine has been a daily reminder for me of how Jesus would handle things. We all probably remember the WWJD movement, wearing bracelets that reminded us to ask ourselves, “What Would Jesus Do? This little guy is like that for me. Helping me keep in check the wrong ways of doing things, wrong thoughts I may think about others, etc. Even the apostle Paul shares with vulnerability about his own struggles to do what is right.

¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. (Romans 7:18-19)

Paul’s vulnerability grants us permission to extend grace to ourselves as we grow daily in Christ. The apostle John tells us:
⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

When I look at this little reminder, it is like turning to see the voice of Jesus, directing me to pray for that tail-gaiter instead of cursing him. Or to thank the guy who just remembered to turn off his high beams while driving toward me in the dark.
I call my figurine DASHBOARD JESUS, and I am so blessed by these little reminders, these little promptings to think before I speak, to pray for others, to be grateful, to be sensitive and kind. So, whatever is a reminder to any of us, to treat others, as well as ourselves, as Jesus would treat them is a good thing to have in front of our eyes. Whether it be as we drive, walk, or talk throughout our days. We need it, I know I do.
What is your reminder to become more like Jesus? Would love to hear about it in the comments. Be Blessed.