Love Like Jesus

We are supposed to live and love like Jesus but what does that mean?  What would that look like?  It's something all Christians struggle with and it's REALLY difficult to put into practice. 

It all clicked with me this week - at least the answer to the what would that look like question.  Maybe I'm a little slow to make this connection but in Matthew chapters 8 and 9 we see a day in the life of Jesus.  I read these chapters and noticed that Jesus performed miracle after miracle as he walked through His days.  He heals a paralytic and calls Matthew to be his disciple, rolls right in to teaching the Pharasees the truth about forgiveness and the purpose of fasting and as He is speaking a devout ruler interrupts because his daughter has died and he believes Jesus has the power to come raise her from the dead.  While Jesus is heading to the ruler's house to perform this miracle, a woman is healed of a bleeding disease. After He raises the girl from the dead and as he is leaving town, 2 blind men request that Jesus restore their sight and as the men with newly restored sight are leaving, a demon possessed man who is mute that needs relief presents himself to Jesus who casts out the demon and restores his voice.  

John tells us that the entire world couldn't contain all the books that could be written about all the signs and wonders Jesus performed while on earth.  So I tend to think the events recorded in Matthew were pretty typical of a day in the life of our Lord.  What I realized as I was reading through these accounts was that Jesus willingly helps people - everywhere He turned someone needed healing.  And He healed them all.  He did it without expressing frustration that someone had interrupted Him or delayed His journey.   He didn't make anyone feel like they were bothering Him and He didn't complain about how much or how hard He was working for everyone else.  It must have been exhausting which is why He frequently slipped away to be alone - to recharge and to fellowship with the Father.  But after this important time of prayer and quiet communication with God the Father, Jesus jumps right back into the fray - providing healing, comfort and hope.   Meeting the needs of others without hesitation.

I was contrasting this with my own life.  How often do I get frustrated when I am interrupted while doing something I view as important?  Do I make people feel like I have places to go and things to do so they need to hurry up or stay out of my way?  I admit that Multiple Sclerosis makes it more difficult for me to switch gears quickly.  I don't transition easily and I approach my daily tasks more methodically and systematically than I used to, leaving less room for spontaneity.   It's more difficult for me than it used to be - but not impossible. 

What I want is to be more like Jesus as I walk through my days.  Always loving, compassionate and meeting the needs I encounter with grace and without complaining.  I want to be available when I am needed and not distracted by my task list or by the concerns of life.  I want to be present in each moment with each person I encounter.  

Now, that's what I WANT to do, who I WANT to be.  And it's so easy to say but so difficult to do when my world gets hectic and my slow brain can't keep up.

But I wanted to talk about this because it has been on my mind for several days and I need the prayer and accountability of others to point out when I am failing to behave in a way that is pleasing to the Lord.  Jesus did it perfectly and we are (I am) never going to attain that level of perfection.   But I believe God wants us/me to TRY.