Wanting to be like Jesus?

Yesterday when I prayed about revival, I had to admit that I was not really wanting it. Why not? Because if it happened, all ‘normal’ life would cease. Reading stories about what happens during a revival made me tired. Since we moved six months ago, life has not been ‘normal’ and the stress of so many unexpected events has been difficult, even if the events have been mostly a blessing. I don’t think I’m ready for what a revival would be like and the demands it would make on my days. 

Piper writes in today’s devotional about his own pity-parties and how a story of a missionary helped him. The missionary lost his wife on the way to where he would work. Alone, he walked many miles to serve people. From the hardships this man experienced, Piper realized that his desires for life’s comfort did not match the call of Christ on his life.

Normally, I do not like to feel better by comparing myself with someone who is in a worse condition. It sounds too much like the words of the Pharisee who said: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.” And Jesus response was, “…Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:11-14)

However, both these stories are helpful. So are the remarks Piper makes about feeling sorry for himself over an extra meeting, an ill-timed hospital call, and too many choices. For one thing, how can I feel sorry for me about something that has not even happened — yet?

Besides that, it is easy to boast like the Pharisee or even like Peter who said, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.” (Mark 10:28). Jesus was not impressed. He replied, 

“Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29–30)

The kingdom of God includes losses. The goodness of God includes great replacements. I’ve experienced many of both. How can I think that the ‘replacements’ for any future losses that would come from God with anything but great and powerful joy-filled events and experiences? The missionary’s life was filled with hardship. But God blessed him with laughter and the deep conviction that he was where he needed to be — by God’s grace.

Piper speaks of his own passion to have the mind of Christ. The Bible expresses in many ways what that means:

And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. (Luke 22:25–27)
 . . . .  and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:27–28)
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:35)

PRAY: It is easy enough to boast that I want to be like You, Jesus. It is much more challenging to consider and count the cost. I can easily be critical of others who are more interested in personal comfort than seeking Your will, but I am the same… even about the discomforts that are not happening. I’m okay with dying and going home but I’m not okay with staying here and losing everything to serve others? I want to be like You in saying and doing what blesses others, but without negatives that go with selflessness? Conclusion? You have much to do in my heart…