I'm trying to be like Jesus

The election season, the whole "pants" thing (see my last post if you're confused), and the Connecticut shooting have made me think a lot about our society. We live in a difficult time. All around us there are wars, rumors of wars, natural disasters, human caused disasters, lying, cheating, stealing, killing, abusing, hurting, etc. Our society is in need of a deep cleaning.

Yet we have no control over the behaviors of others. The shooting in Connecticut demonstrated that. I am a good person. The people in the school were good people. Yet none of us could stop the monster who did this. There are a lot of "if only"s out there. If only whatever version of crazy he had was caught, if only, if only. But those if onlys don't do us any good. A man chose to do horrible, evil things. That was a decision he made, and we're left to decide how we respond.

Because that's exactly it. The only person I can control is me. And these 3 events  have helped me decide I want to change.

On facebook I've noticed a growing trend of attacking each other about beliefs and thoughts. The election season was horrible. It didn't matter what you thought or who you voted for, there was someone attacking you. It wasn't just an attack on the politicians. It was personal. If you voted or supported the "wrong" person, you were an idiot, uneducated, and anti-American. During that time, I felt horrible, wondering where all the nice people I knew went, including myself at times. The whole pants deal was just as bad, if not worse. It became an all out war that focused not on the reasons the group decided to wear pants, but core beliefs. People were calling each other apostate over it. I kept thinking "They're pants." Yet I'm not innocent on the matter either. Some of the comments I made were hurtful and harsh to others. Not intentionally, but they were.

After the shooting, reading people's comments about the pants thing (which was still going on), I wanted to scream "WHO CARES? 20 children have just been murdered!". That was my big moment. I became frustrated with the attacks around the elections. The whole pants deal frustrated me enough to write an entire post about it. The shooting I took as a personal cue to change.

I can't control others, but I can control myself. I know that I don't want others to see me as rude or unkind. I want people to see me as I am: A caring, happy person, who loves to laugh and be silly; someone who loves intellectual debates and discussing deep material; a person who adores children; a woman who is conquering her "handicap" of being bipolar and showing the world you can have a mental illness and still be "sane"; and most importantly, a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ.

If I am a follower of Jesus Christ than I should be living as He did (and does!). Jesus Christ would never mock someone's beliefs, even if they were not His own. He would not judge people's actions as they try to live the Gospel and follow Him, because he knows we're not perfect. None of us are perfect. We all have faults. We all have reasons why we fall short of the mark. That is why Jesus came! He came to save us from ourselves! He made it possible to return to God by atoning for our sins and sacrificing himself on the cross. He asks is for us to repent and follow Him and welcomes us no matter how many times we have to repent.

In John chapter 8 it tells the story of an adultress who was brought before Jesus. The people wanted to know if they should stone her. Jesus responded "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone." Christ was the only person who could have thrown any stones. He didn't. Instead He said He didn't condemn her and invited her to repent and follow Him.

My goal for the rest of this year--and the rest of my life--is to love more like Jesus loves. I want to behave as Jesus would behave. I want to be able to look at those who do things in a way I don't think is right without condemnation or judgement, only a hope that they will turn--or continue to turn--to God.

There's a song children at my church sing. It's called "I'm trying to be like Jesus". This song is my goal. I know that this path will bring me happiness. Living as He lived will help me find peace to my soul and will truly bring me unto him.

"I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus"

I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”
 (Janice Kapp Perry)