Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Reflect Jesus To Others

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
-- Colossians 3:12

Wow, that sounds good. I want to be filled with compassion and kindess. I want to live my life in humility and treat others with gentleness and patience. Really, I do. But wanting and doing aren't the same thing. Sometimes I fail miserably.

Patience has never been my strong point. I try. Really I do. I'm even pretty good when I'm dealing with small children. They're so precious and wonderful. It's the adults that really give me fits. It seems natural to have to repeat myself to children. It's just so aggravating when having to repeat myself to adults.

I take deep breaths. I beg God to hold my tongue. I really have issues with my tongue. It tends to be short and to the point. You know what I'm talking about. Everyone gets a little irritable now and again so you might as well admit it. We won't talk about the guilt and excuses that come from that.

It's just that I know other people judge Jesus by me. It's not really fair. He is perfect and I'm far from that. But because I'm a Christian, Jesus lives inside of me. He's part of me. And it's my responsibility to show Jesus to people by the way I act and the words I say. That's a pretty daunting task for someone who has never exactly been tactful.

The Bible reminds me that God understands my flaws. He knows my heart. He knows I'm trying and struggling and trying again. And somehow that's enough for Him. I am enough for Him. Flaws and all. The strange thing is that the more I try to be like Him, the fewer the times my emotions control my actions. Maybe I can be like Paul, striving toward what I can't see but know is just ahead. I'll stumble and fall, scrape myself up and shed a few tears. But then He'll pick me up, dust me off and away I'll go again. Heading toward Him and the life that awaits at the end of the day. Imperfection made anew. How awesome is that.