Ryan's Ramblings

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish. 

— John 1:14, MSG

Years ago, when my wife was teaching kindergarteners, I’d stop by her classroom from time to time to say hi and visit with her students. One day I walked in her room and nearly tripped over a globe sitting right in the middle of the floor. 

A globe on the floor? 

It looked out of place. My first instinct was to pick it up and put it on a shelf. After all, that’s where globes belong—somewhere “safe” and “appropriate.”

But here’s the thing about a globe on the floor of a kindergarten classroom: it’s meant to be touched, looked at, and held. Little fingers will leave smudges. Sticky hands will spin it, bump it, scuff it, maybe even knock it over. And that’s okay. It’s not meant to stay polished or pristine — it’s meant to be experienced, up close and together, by kids who are learning about the world one fingerprint at a time.

Every mark and sign of wear on that globe tells the story of a teacher who values connection more than control. A great teacher always chooses access and engagement over perfection.

And that makes me think of Jesus.

The Creator of all things — the Word who spoke galaxies into place — moved into the neighborhood. He came into the grit and grief of our world — unguarded, vulnerable, and willing. His coming was dangerous. It was deliberate. It was love—and it cost Him everything.

The Greatest Teacher chose access and engagement over perfection.

That’s what grace does: it meets us at our level. God could have stayed exalted and out of reach. But He stepped into the dust and difficulty of our world so that we could actually know Him. Not just know about Him, but know Him. And that knowing came through suffering and a cross.

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10, NIV). That life came at the cost of His own life — “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, NIV).

Jesus has come close—to your neighborhood, your life, your heart. He’s ever knocking, waiting for you to open the door (Revelation 3:20). He’s not put off by the clutter, the chaos, or the imperfection. He came and gave His life to make you clean.

So go ahead—let Him in. Let Him take His place at the center of things.

That’s where real growth and life begin—in the beautiful, messy, risky place…

where God comes near.