When I was in college, I had a wonderful doctor who was on campus. He genuinely cared about his patients and listened, intently to anything I ever said, as well as asked questions, looking for things I wasn’t saying. Looking back I can see how much he must have invested in the lives of students who were struggling, or depressed by looking for the things they weren’t saying. Anyway, I hated losing this doctor after college, because he only treated students.
He offered some “unsolicited advice” to me that I carry with me, to this day. He said, “Don’t ever choose a doctor who is obese or smokes. If they don’t take care of themselves and their health by setting a good example for their patients, how can you trust them to take care of you and your health?”
I took his advice to heart and share it with people, to this day.
I have been so fortunate to have had excellent medical care most of my entire adult life, and Terry and I have the very best doctors now, either of us have ever had.
The other morning when I was thinking about the discourse and anger in our country, I thought about how we, as Believers, are to look like Jesus. We are to act like Jesus. We are to love like Jesus. We are to set an example for how Christians are supposed to look/act/sound: like Jesus. Otherwise, how will the outside world know us for who we are?
It is much like the wisdom shared with me years ago while I was a college student. I should look for doctors who take care of themselves, otherwise how can I trust them to take care of me? You and I should be looking to people who are seeking Jesus right now, not looking for debates or approval from politicians or cable news talking heads.
If we look like the people around us, and we talk like the people around us, are we looking and sounding like Jesus?
“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in His steps.” - 1 Peter 2:21 (NLT)
If my goal is to show Jesus to the world around me, am I doing that by not speaking out against racism? If my goal is to show Jesus to the world around me, am I doing that by excusing and defending indefensible behavior? If my goal is to show Jesus to the world around me, am I willing to suffer backlash from people who have opposing views and opinions from mine, making me unpopular with certain crowds for speaking what I believe is truth based on scripture?
Just as I would not choose a doctor who is obese and smokes to be the one who provides medical care for me, I would also not turn to someone who is consumed with vitriol and hate, for wise counsel.
We have not just a right, but a responsibility, to live by the example Jesus set for us. If we sound like a certain politician or cable news anchor or anyone other than Jesus … aren’t we doing it wrong?