No doubt about my mission for the day.
As the song says, I was going to be “mistaken for Jesus.” I am, after all, the only Jesus some people will ever see.
So I set off, with just the right balance of humility and determination, to be Jesus. I would love unconditionally, yet tolerate no injustice. I would freely forgive and exhort others around to me a higher standard. I would respond to criticism with words of scripture, yet act in such a way none would question my integrity. I would reach out to the lowest of sinners while keeping myself spotless.
Such a noble beginning.
But before the day was out, I snapped at my co-workers, whined about my workload, fretted about finances, indulged my cravings and manipulated a friend for my own purposes.
Whatever Jesus would do, that wasn’t it.
Because perseverance is a mark of maturity, the next morning I prayed anew, “Lord, I want to be Jesus.”
Then I groaned. Not this again. Being Jesus is hard!
So hard, in fact, that only God could do it.
Jesus was fully man. He also had the distinct advantage of being fully God.
I am fully human. I am a 5 foot tall redheaded woman with a smart aleck streak who will never be mistaken for Jesus in a line up. Not that Jesus would ever be in a police line up. He’s perfect, lest we forget.
And the more I try to be like him, the wider the gap seems to be growing between me and the goal.
As I prayed that morning, I was comforted that God is well aware I’m no Jesus, yet loves me still.
So how can I be holy as He is? I’ve decided that the solution is not in me becoming Jesus, but in Jesus becoming me. If I can step aside, then a little more of the Jesus who lives in my heart ever since I invited him when I was nine years old, can seep out.
I won’t be mistaken for Jesus, but I hope there’s clear evidence that we do spend time together.
“If anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in Him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” I John 2:5-6
