DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Be Like Jesus
by Kim Starr
Sometimes God talks to us in subtle ways, like when Jesus told parables that people, even his disciples, did not understand until he explained them. Other times God talks to us directly like when he spoke to Moses in the burning bush. In the passage for today, God, through Paul, is telling us exactly how, as Christians, he wants us to act.
Paul starts off by telling us that, if we have any happiness from being a Christian, if we have any comfort from God’s love, if we join with others and share his spirit, if we have any compassion, tenderness, or thoughtfulness for others, we are to make his joy complete by having the same love for one another and being of one mind and one in the spirit. We are to be humble and value others and look at their interests above our own.
That’s a tall order and can be difficult to do. Thankfully, Paul goes on to tell us how we are to accomplish this: we are to be like Jesus. Now, being exactly like Jesus is impossible because we all sin; he did not. But we can look to him, emulate his qualities, and ask him to help us be servants, put others’ needs above our own, and be humble.
When Jesus walked among us, he had a servant heart, and he led by example. He even did the will of his Father by dying on the cross for us. He alone made the way for us to enter heaven and live and be with God forever. He wants us to do the same thing. He wants us, through our actions and words, to let his light shine through our lives and touch others. The goal is to expand the kingdom of God by how we act, what we do, and what we say. Endeavor to do exactly what he asks and have the mindset of Jesus Christ.
PRAYER
Oh God, I come humbly before you asking that you give me the mindset of your son, Jesus Christ. I want to be like him. I want your light to shine through me in my thoughts, words, and deeds. Let every single thing I do or say draw people to you. Thank you for helping me. In your precious, holy name I pray. Amen.
