Last summer, I was having breakfast with a friend and she said something that really caught my attention. She said something along the lines of, “As believers, shouldn’t everyone we come into contact with notice that there is something different about us? Shouldn’t they see something in us that they want, too?” Her question really got my attention because there is such truth to it.
We are called to be like Jesus. Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us that we are to be imitators of God and walk in love as Christ loved us. Let’s think about Jesus’ life here on earth. Once His ministry began and people began to realize that the long-awaited Messiah had indeed come, they began to seek Him out. They wanted just a glimpse, just a touch of His robe. Jesus spent His time on earth walking in love among the dregs of the earth with grace and mercy. At times, he had masses of people following Him for days at a time. There was just something about Him that attracted people. There was something different. Something magnetizing. Something that people wanted to learn more about. His love drew people in.
This has made me question myself. Do I walk in a way that attracts people? Do they see something in me that they desire? Of course, this has nothing to do with me. It is CHRIST that I long for them to see. 1 John 2:6 says,”Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” So, what should that look like?
If we want to walk as Christ did, we must love one another. John 13:34-35 says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” I feel like in this age of social media, this is where we SERIOUSLY FAIL!!! If we are arguing with each other, posting condescending articles, and spewing hate, no one will want any part of Jesus. We are the ones that give Him a bad name. About 15 years ago, I heard a quote by Gandhi that grabbed my attention. He said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” Let that sink in for a minute. There is much truth to that statement. We have to do better!
Paul urges us to in Ephesians 4:1-2: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Let’s break this down a bit. As we go about our day to day lives, whether that be at work, in our neighborhoods, or on social media, we are called to strive to walk in humility. Christ demonstrated this for us in the most unbelievable way. He is the Creator of the universe and Savior of the world, yet He wasn’t born to a rich King who lived in a palace. He didn’t live a life filled with riches and wealth. Instead, He came down to earth, was born in a stable, lived among the people, hung out with the outcasts and sinners, and was a servant. He couldn’t have been more humble.
Paul also encourages us to walk “with gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” This is not an easy task! If you notice, all 3 of these (gentleness, patience, and love) are Fruits of the Spirit. A good way to tell if you exemplify these qualities is to insert your name with each fruit. Kendra shows love. Kendra is joyful. Kendra is peaceful. Kendra is patient. Kendra is kind. Kendra shows goodness. Kendra is faithful. Kendra is gentle. Kendra exercises self-control. Talk about humbling!!! Oh, how I often miss the mark! We all do. But, as we grow in our relationship with Christ and prayerfully become more like Him, these should become more and more evident in our lives. I pray that these attributes will point others to Christ as they recognize their need for Him.
This brings me to the same conclusion that I will always come to. In order to become more like Christ and for others to see that He is all that will satisfy them, it is essential to be in His Word every single day. I know I sound like a broken record, but this is the most crucial piece of advice I can give. We must KNOW His word. We must study it. We must meditate on it. We must memorize it. That means every single day, even when we’re tired and worn out from a late-night with our newborn or sick child. Or when life’s troubles are pressing in on us. And especially when the entire world is shut down due to a pandemic. It’s an absolute must and is a prerequisite for learning to walk as He did. We have what the world needs. They just need to see it.
Our lives are flipped upside down right now. People are fearful and we are more divided than ever. Let’s pray that the lost will see Jesus in us. Pray that they see that we have something that they desperately need. Let’s reach out to our neighbors with gentleness and patience. Let’s be imitators of God and love the way Jesus loves us. Let’s show humility as we put others before ourselves and reach out to those whom many won’t. And whatever you do, Don’t Wait!!!
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