I have started reading a book by Elizabeth George called "A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus - 30 Days to Christlike Character". I decided there was a lot to go through in just 30 days and if I really wanted to meditate on each character trait then I would need to take longer. I am going to try to do 30 weeks to Christlike Character.
"Jesus is not some celestial untouchable superstar. He's a person who has lived where we live, faced what we face, and felt what we feel. That's why we can look to Him as a model of Christian behavior." I think it is sometimes hard to remember that Jesus did live on this earth and even though He still had his divine nature he also felt and experienced things as any human does.
It is so easy these days to "talk" to someone if we want to. We can call, text, e-mail, post, tweet and yes, we can still even send letters. Sometimes when we want to talk to someone (like customer service to take care of a problem) we can't reach the person we need. God is not like that. He is available 24/7. As a child of God, I can be in His presence any time I want. I can approach God any time I want. He is never too busy for me.
"He (Jesus) never seemed to allow what was urgent to get in the way of what was important." Elizabeth uses the events of Mark 2:1-5 to demonstrate how Jesus modeled this. This is the time that Jesus was preaching to a packed house and some friends of a paralytic man brought him to the house to be healed. Jesus didn't get mad at the men. He could have told them He was busy and didn't have time for this man. He was preaching to these people and it was "time" for that. He had an urgent message for these people. It wasn't time for Him to heal this man. But, He didn't react that way. He stopped His preaching and healed the man.
When I think about doing what is urgent or what is important, I think about the events of Luke 10-38-42, when Jesus visited Mary and Martha. Martha was busy doing what was urgent - the cooking, cleaning, hostessing. But, Mary chose to do what was important. She chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His teaching. I find myself, most days, being more like Martha than Mary. I busy myself with the things that I think are urgent and need to be done, but I tend to neglect the important things - spending time with God, my husband, my kids and others that I can be reaching out to and ministering to.
"From the story of the paralytic and his friends, who made sure he had an opportunity to meet with Jesus, and from numerous other instances in the Gospels, Jesus teaches His followers to be careful not to allow crowds, packed schedules, and busyness to get in the way of people who truly need help. They are what's important. You'll always have something that needs immediate, urgent attention. That's life! But ask God to give you discernment so you don't ignore sincere cries for help. Ask Him, "How would You want me to treat this person?'"
If I am busy with the urgent things then people who are important are not going to find me to be approachable. "To become more like Jesus, purpose and pray to be approachable like He was...and still is to you today and every day." Do not get discouraged by the ones that do approach you and take your time, but do not take your advice. Jesus had this happen many times also. Elizabeth notes about the events in Mark 10:17-22 where the man approaches Jesus and asks how to inherit eternal life. Jesus knew the man valued his money and possessions more than God, but He gave the man the advice knowing the man wouldn't follow Him. There will be people that do this to us, too. We can choose to shy away from being approachable to others, or we can choose to be like Christ and still hold our arms open. "God has gifted and prepared you with the help you can give to so many others who are sincere and desperately need what you have to offer!.........pray for them (the ones that are insincere) and ask God to again give you a heart that seeks to follow Jesus and be approachable. After all, one of the 12 disciples betrayed Jesus and yet Jesus still gave His life and blood as a ransom for those who approach the cross."
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