Being Like Jesus

The anxiety in our world is palpable right now.  Two coaching client calls last week left me feeling anxious and depleted.  Yes, I’m already nervous about my upcoming knee replacement, and I’m sad about missing the memorial service for my friend Wade.  I’m aware of my stress.  These two clients challenged me to be a voice of hope for them, to be less anxious for them.  Afterwards, I was exhausted.

During each session, I asked them, “If Jesus were facing the problem you are experiencing, what do you think Jesus would do?”  

The conversations were both very insightful for them.  Each client imagined redemptive responses that they could bring to their settings.  They turned off their “voices of judgment” to reach some options that were worthy of trying.  They focused on a couple of their responses that they wanted to try immediately.  Both of them chose responses that would help them be more like Jesus!  We ended both conversations hopeful.

But I was depleted.

And then a friend of mine emailed me the following:  “How are you doing as you prepare for your upcoming surgery?”

I shared my vulnerability of anticipating what was coming, the pain that would result from the surgery, and the hard work of recovery.  I was sad about Wade.  I was tired.

Her response was, “When Jesus faced similar feelings, what did Jesus do?  There’s not anything you’re carrying that Jesus hasn’t carried.”

Wow!  Being like Jesus is not always energizing and exciting.  Sometimes, being like Jesus is holding anger, grief, low energy, loneliness, pain.  And being depleted while being like Jesus is certainly normal.

What did Jesus do when the ways of the world were too much to bear?  Jesus pulled away, sought solace in fellowship with God, rested, was silent, prayed.  

So, whatever you are feeling today, Jesus has felt them too.  Being like Jesus is difficult work.  Being like Jesus is challenging.  And, being like Jesus is the most amazing moment in life EVER!  This Lenten Journey has been challenging and enlightening and amazing!

I pray you have found much of the same!