Tag Archives: image

July 14, 2013 · 2:47 pm

Neighbourhood Jesus

In a Sunday school class some time ago, a little boy made a remarkable statement. The teaching on that day was on the person of Jesus Christ. After the teacher carefully described Jesus by His character and attributes, the little boy stood up and said that he had seen Jesus in his neighbourhood. The immediate response in the class was a mixture of scorn and surprise. The boy went ahead to describe a man that lived in their neighbourhood that matched the picture painted by the teacher. How profound that boy’s statement was.

Image

I believe that is the kind of life that we are called to as Christians; known as Christians by the life we live, not just because we announce that we are Christians. The early apostles were first called Christians because they were observed to be behaving like Christ, they did not choose the name and then went about announcing it to the people. That was the message that Paul tried to pass across in Galatians 5:1 (AMP)

 “Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].”

If we are copying God and following His example, it will show. It’s often very difficult to differentiate between an original item and an imitation if they are placed side by side at the market. Have you ever wondered why Judas had to specially point out Jesus with a kiss to those that came to arrest Him? Obviously, the disciples were not 12 identical twins. Can we all get back to that place, where we will be known by our fruits? Can we be known as Christians, not because of what we have filled in a form or because we said so, but rather because it is evident in the way we live? God’s grace is sufficient.

1 Comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , ,

January 20, 2013 · 1:57 pm

The Image He Sees

When I was growing up, I had this neighbour that I so much wanted to walk like. I was in love with his way of walking. His legs were a bit bow, but mine weren’t. No matter how hard I tried, there was no way I could walk like him. Because that was not the way I was made. At some other point, while in secondary school, I wanted to walk like one of my teachers, who used to sway from side to side with each step. You can’t imagine how hilarious I used to look then, trying so hard to be someone else.

Image

I know that I’m not alone in this land of pipe dreams. Many people have tried fruitlessly to talk like someone else (especially with an American accent), to preach like someone else, to dress like someone else, to sing like someone else…the list is endless. Some of us did not go as far as trying; they only wished they were as tall as someone else or as fair as someone else. At the recesses of their minds they feel that they are being limited by those perceived ‘shortcomings’.

The best thing we can do is to discover ourselves for ourselves. If only we can start to see ourselves through the eyes of our Sovereign God, who knows why He made us the way we are, our lives will be filled with fulfilment. I am sure King David never let his mind trick him into wishing he could be someone else. That was why he could boldly say “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” Psalms 139:14

Image
In contrast, Paul must have noticed the opposite among the Corinthians that made him write and say to them: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” 2Cor 10: 12.

Discover the image of you that God sees and work hard at it with all your heart. No matter how hard you try to be like someone else, there can only be one original and IT WON’T BE YOU! God created you to be a voice. If you work hard at becoming someone else, you will only end up as an ECHO. How sad that will be!

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , ,