...like Jesus did it

Most of the people I know that really love God want to live like Jesus. They want to impact the world the way Jesus did. They want to help, serve, and love others the way Jesus did. Me too.

Here's a challenging thought I just read this week. If we want our lives to get the results that Jesus' life did, we should live the way He did.

No, we don't need to wander around the middle east. We all know that we should know the Scriptures and pray, but how about fasting?
Do you fast regularly as a part of your faith (not just on special occasions when you need God to do something)?
Do you practice solitude - getting away from EVERYTHING? (Yes, the world will get along fine without you for a few hours or days.)
Do you ever practice silence? (Try listening without speaking. It's quite an exercise.)
Do you practice simplicity? (Jesus said he didn't even have a place to lay His head. How much STUFF do we have in our lives?)

I'm thinking pretty seriously about engaging this "Jesus lifestyle" in some forms or another - practicing some new spiritual disciplines. (If this is a new concept, here's a paraphrase from a smart guy I love to read - Disciplines are practices we can choose to do with our bodies by which we receive that grace to do what we cannot do by direct effort.) For example, we cannot just will ourselves into better character. However, we can do other things (reading Scripture, meditating on the life & words of Jesus, prayer, fasting, etc.) by which we are likely to receive God's character forming grace.

I would love to hear from you additional observations on the spiritual disciplines you've observed of Jesus in the gospels. What was He doing (as a man) that kept Him always in the way of the GRACE that He would need to touch those around Him?

Unintended Consequences

Let's begin this thought with mom's old advice, "Be careful what you ask for." Even in the case of really good things, sometimes there are unintended consequences.

Like the story of Moses and the exodus from Egypt, freedom is an amazing thing. When our lives become free from things that once enslaved us, it is always miraculous and worth remembering and celebrating. Following that time of slavery, God leads us on an amazing journey of freedom: following His presence wherever it leads us, being sustained by supernatural manna. Few decisions must be made, few responsibilities are given.

Then comes the time to answer the call. The time to fulfill the purposes for which God has set us free. The time when everything changes. The time when, teetering on the border of the Promised Land, the manna disappears (Joshua 5:12).

THE CHANGE
If you want to eat, wander out in the morning and gather manna...
If you want to eat, you better plant some crops, herd some livestock, or grab a spear and go kill something.

You were once led about with a man carrying a staff...
You are now led into war by a man carrying a sword.

You once moved around without thought, led by a cloud and fire...
You must now seek God's direction, make some strategic plans, and execute those plans.

You once experienced God as the God of freedom...
God is now experienced as the God who fights by your side.

You once wandered about in a foreign land...
Now the time has come to take ownership of the land, put down roots, and fight to make it a kingdom of righteousness and justice.

You were once free...Now you are responsible.

THE CHALLENGE
What will it take for you to grab a hold of God's promises? What direction must be sought? What strategic plans must be made? What will it cost you?

My latest thing...

What does this life look like for me?
What does life in Jesus' name look like for you?

How's that working for you?

This is my paraphrase for the apostle Paul in Romans 6:21 - "How's that working for you?" I love this thought because it is so simple. It is so not-preachy. It is so relative and relevant to the one who would ask it. Think about the things which you serve - self-preservation, gratification, pride, fear, safety, you name it - How's that going for you? Are you finding peace? Are you finding satisfaction?

Hmm. If only there was a better way...