Bouncing Back » imitate http://relentlessgrace.com/bouncingback Bouncing back from adversity; Moving forward with hope. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:34:56 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 An Imitator Of Jesus http://relentlessgrace.com/bouncingback/2009/06/an-imitator-of-jesus/ http://relentlessgrace.com/bouncingback/2009/06/an-imitator-of-jesus/#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:12:38 +0000 Rich Dixon http://thoughtsabouthope.wordpress.com/?p=414

Note: This article is a regular Friday feature that’s also posted at SetFreeToday.com

GeeseImitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
(1 Corinthians 11:1)

Do I strive to imitate Jesus? Do you?

I say His prayer, occasionally. I write about Him; I attempt to be aware of His presence; I try to ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” when I confront a difficult decision.

I do a lot of stuff that may outwardly appear as attempts to follow His teachings. But do I truly seek to imitate Him?

I harbor no illusions about my limited ability to live as Jesus lived. I can emulate Christ as a light bulb can emulate the sun. But I’m wondering this morning if I really even comprehend the radical nature of the call to imitate Him.

Jesus lived in the present. Because He totally trusted God to lead and provide for Him, He didn’t fuss about the source of His next meal. How many moments do I waste in assuring future security?

Jesus never tried to fit God into His plans. His single goal was to conform to God’s plans. How often do I determine an objective and then solicit God as an ally?

Jesus loved and served unconditionally. How many conditions do I impose on my love? How hesitant am I to serve sacrificially or in inconvenient circumstances?

Jesus refused to compromise eternal truth for worldly expediency. How often do I settle for short-term financial, political, or relational outcomes?

Jesus knew with perfect clarity who He was, where He came from, why He was here, and where He was going. I can’t approach His level of self-awareness, because for now I only “…see but a poor reflection as in a mirror.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Do I truly seek to imitate Jesus, even when His path appears to diverge from my own? Am I really prepared to serve sacrificially? Or have I adopted a Christianity of convenience that superimposes Jesus’ teaching on my pre-conceived plans and then ignores anything that doesn’t appear to fit?

What’s one aspect of your life in which you try to imitate Jesus?

Related articles:

Rebuking The Storm

Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net. 

Subscribe to receive updates by Email



]]> http://relentlessgrace.com/bouncingback/2009/06/an-imitator-of-jesus/feed/ 2