Living Like Jesus
May 2008

I have written several times about my Superman complex, but today I hope to shed the cape and just be honest. Sometimes church is hard. Often I get busy "doing church" and neglect what our true purpose is. Maybe you can relate. There are infinite needs and finite resources. We teach Sunday school, plan meetings, organize trips, and it never seems to be enough. It is so easy to get sucked into "doing," and easily cast aside "living." Recently, I was in a spiritual funk, and thought a mission trip was required to recenter and refocus. After much thought and prayer, I asked myself, "why do I need an event to refocus on God?"

John 14:1-8
14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going."

5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
NIV

In John 14:6 Jesus refers to himself as "the way, the truth, and the life." Shortly after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, the believers in Christ were known as "followers of The Way." I like to think that being a Christian means a follower of the Christ, and living THE WAY Jesus did. Living like Jesus is not about rules, nor about knowledge, but a WAY of living life. A way that is glorifying to God, and a way that produces peace. Peace in our hearts and peace in the world.

I was recently discussing this topic with a friend. I commented that "living like Jesus" is so difficult because discerning the will of God is difficult. My friend remarked that our goal is not to discern the will of God, but to simply seek God first. When we pursue closeness with God , his will becomes one with our life and the choices we make are in line with God's ultimate plan. The key is placing closeness with God above all other things.

So I go back to my original idea, that a Mission trip would fix everything. Don't get me wrong, I have been on several and they have been deeply spiritual events. Maybe an event like that is the spark needed to fire up your heart. But my thoughts were more retail. Give me a mission trip and I will feel better. Fortunately (yes fortunately) there is no God pill, "taken twice daily to develop a relationship." In a closer examination of my heart, I had gotten so busy "doing" that I neglected living like Jesus. When God is our priority, we cannot help but overflow with generosity, love, and kindness.

I ask you now the hard question. Are you looking for a quick fix, or a long-term solution? Is your faith in God a retail experience, where we get what we need and get out. Do you want something more? I do. Everyday is chance, and every moment an opportunity. Trust me, no amount of "doing" will draw you closer to God. It's very counter-intuitive and often difficult, but by the grace of God, possible.

Chris Jones
Director of Sports and Recreation
Playing with a Purpose