Being Like Jesus
I am a part of a group who is trying to become the leaders God has called us to be. We are currently trying to define what an "elder" really is according to scripture, and how can be fulfill that position adequately. We've all seen the system that's in place in most churches fail. People get hurt.
Frankly, I think as long as we as people are involved, others will get hurt. We hurt each other, especially when we get close. We don't mean to. It just happens. We try to avoid it. But it happens. I have unintentionally hurt every member of my family at one time or another. The key, I think, is to take responsibility for our actions, and apologize sincerely whether the pain inflicted on others is intentional or not.
I was involved in a miscommunication situation recently, and I hurt a friend of mine. I didn't mean to hurt her, but she was hurt anyway. I took full responsibility for the miscommunication, and apologized from my heart. She opened up then, and shared some more concerns she had about the way she felt my husband and I had been treating her and her family. It gave us an opportunity to clear the air. And it was good. We left that "conflict" with a deeper appreciation for each other, and a new depth in our friendship.
That's the way we as leaders should behave. Really, I think we are all called to be leaders in one capacity or another. It's so important to set the right example, to really act like we think Jesus would, based on our understanding of His behavior in the Bible.
When our pastor read that last night from the book we are studying alongside the Bible, I felt such discouragement. My background is kind of "works-based." I see Jesus working. Not playing. And I love to play! I'm musical. Would Jesus write music today? I love to scrapbook. Would He do that? I am a woman. I know I should serve my family by providing them with a clean house, good meals, fresh laundry, etc., yet the only mention of this in the Word that comes to mind, is where Jesus told Martha that Mary sought the more important things than these when Martha complained that Mary had left her with all the chores. So should no one have fixed the food? Should we not serve? Should we all just sit at Jesus' feet? This has always confused me a little. I think that really what Jesus was probably speaking to, was Martha's complaining heart. Mary wanted to be closer to Jesus. I think in getting closer to Jesus, I will see serving others as more of a privilege, not a chore. Perhaps Martha would have seen this, had she known Jesus' heart better.
So rather than being discouraged at the thought of doing only what Jesus would do, I should be encouraged. His heart is for our success in Him. He wants me to become more like Him. I want that too. Sometimes it's hard because I am so selfish. I want to do my own thing. I want MY space. I'm one of those people who likes to be alone. I like silence. I like playing music as loud as I want. I like deciding when to eat and when not to eat. But serving is a privilege. I would not trade my family for all the solitude in the world. I love them dearly, and have found my own life to be so enriched by them. I see such awful things in my heart, that I know I would never have seen if they didn't live with me, and help me into situations that bring out my worst! I need to see this, so I can submit it to the Lord, and be changed! And I am so thankful.
So it's not really a dillema at all. It's all about loving Jesus and, through Him, others, more than myself.
A worthy goal indeed.
Jesus, help me to become more like you. You always did the right thing, and when you didn't know what to do, you asked your Father. Help me to follow your example, and do only what the Father directs. Thank you!
Frankly, I think as long as we as people are involved, others will get hurt. We hurt each other, especially when we get close. We don't mean to. It just happens. We try to avoid it. But it happens. I have unintentionally hurt every member of my family at one time or another. The key, I think, is to take responsibility for our actions, and apologize sincerely whether the pain inflicted on others is intentional or not.
I was involved in a miscommunication situation recently, and I hurt a friend of mine. I didn't mean to hurt her, but she was hurt anyway. I took full responsibility for the miscommunication, and apologized from my heart. She opened up then, and shared some more concerns she had about the way she felt my husband and I had been treating her and her family. It gave us an opportunity to clear the air. And it was good. We left that "conflict" with a deeper appreciation for each other, and a new depth in our friendship.
That's the way we as leaders should behave. Really, I think we are all called to be leaders in one capacity or another. It's so important to set the right example, to really act like we think Jesus would, based on our understanding of His behavior in the Bible.
When our pastor read that last night from the book we are studying alongside the Bible, I felt such discouragement. My background is kind of "works-based." I see Jesus working. Not playing. And I love to play! I'm musical. Would Jesus write music today? I love to scrapbook. Would He do that? I am a woman. I know I should serve my family by providing them with a clean house, good meals, fresh laundry, etc., yet the only mention of this in the Word that comes to mind, is where Jesus told Martha that Mary sought the more important things than these when Martha complained that Mary had left her with all the chores. So should no one have fixed the food? Should we not serve? Should we all just sit at Jesus' feet? This has always confused me a little. I think that really what Jesus was probably speaking to, was Martha's complaining heart. Mary wanted to be closer to Jesus. I think in getting closer to Jesus, I will see serving others as more of a privilege, not a chore. Perhaps Martha would have seen this, had she known Jesus' heart better.
So rather than being discouraged at the thought of doing only what Jesus would do, I should be encouraged. His heart is for our success in Him. He wants me to become more like Him. I want that too. Sometimes it's hard because I am so selfish. I want to do my own thing. I want MY space. I'm one of those people who likes to be alone. I like silence. I like playing music as loud as I want. I like deciding when to eat and when not to eat. But serving is a privilege. I would not trade my family for all the solitude in the world. I love them dearly, and have found my own life to be so enriched by them. I see such awful things in my heart, that I know I would never have seen if they didn't live with me, and help me into situations that bring out my worst! I need to see this, so I can submit it to the Lord, and be changed! And I am so thankful.
So it's not really a dillema at all. It's all about loving Jesus and, through Him, others, more than myself.
A worthy goal indeed.
Jesus, help me to become more like you. You always did the right thing, and when you didn't know what to do, you asked your Father. Help me to follow your example, and do only what the Father directs. Thank you!
posted by Cynthia at 8:02 PM
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