Living like JC

For most that know me, they have seen that I have a short attention span. What this means for me, is that unless the conversation, words that I read, or things that I see have a vested interest for me, my mind tends to wonder. I will most likely just nod my head, or stare until I realize it is something that is not fitting. And when I actually do have some interest, then I will go into something like “banks-mode.” I will get excited or animated about something that no one normally would. It might look like my smile, turning into a grin and then a couple hops or something. I don’t know, I was walking one day and noticed my reflection in the glass during one of these episodes, and frankly I was scared.

Anyways, my point is, it’s tough to find things that I can grab onto and dissect. Our LG is about to start discussing a book, “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas A. Kempis.

Kempis writes in chapter one:

“Yet whoever wishes to understand fully the words of Christ must try to pattern his whole life on that of Christ.”

This sentence just happens for me to be one of things to get the gears moving, the ideas rolling, the questions hurling, the mind searching.

Have you ever been told by someone who knew a secret, if you just do this first, I’ll tell you?

This isn’t nearly that easy or adolescent. I don’t know about you, but I have a ton of questions. And when I read this, I felt like someone showed me a glimpse of the door.

The word, the bible, the truth. Some may say it’s the most documented piece of literature, ever. Some may say it’s part of man’s biggest hoax. Others may even say it lives, and is something that reveals, nurtures, and guides their everyway. Regardless, it’s a mystery.

I read again what Kempis wrote. I think there is some amazing truth in what he says. How are we to understand what Christ teaches fully, if we don’t try to model Him in everything we do?

A part of me thinks about it briefly in my own language, sports. Let’s take golf for example. (not a surprise) It’s a sport that the majority is bored beyond belief. I’ve heard some even say they would prefer to watch grass grow than to watch golf. Now to appreciate the talent of a professional, to understand the difficulty and the amazing ability it takes to do what a player like Tiger Woods does. Last year, Tiger Woods hit a four iron from over 200 + yards under windy conditions in the hole. Anyone that has tried to golf, knows a four iron may be one the hardest clubs to hit. Under those conditions it would be nearly, or if not impossible, for anyone else. To not play, it’s just another golf club where some guy that’s on TV a lot, hit it in the hole. It’s truly hard to fully understand something if you haven’t done it or aren’t living it.

The other part of me yearns to know God, the secrets to understand Him, and know what it takes to fully understand what He teaches. Kempis I think is on the mark. You must try to pattern yourself after Him, to understand fully, or atleast as much as He chooses to reveal to us. For me, this gives me even more of a reason to strive to be more like Christ. I am someone that wants to know the truth; it feels like getting a chance to get some questions answered, have more questions added, and to know Christ better.

Now I guess I have to figure out what it is to live like JC.

Think like a child?

This statement was how an episode to the show "Raines" started. I found it interesting enough to post.

"Human beings have the longest period of helplessness of any animal. Fish and reptiles are born ready to survive on their own. Mice are ready in days, granted mice only live for a few months, so for most parents a day seems like an eternity. Anyway my point is, scientists say our childhoods are longer cause we need to learn more to survive. I think it’s cause we’re the only animal that’s aware of it’s own limitations, chiefly among those being, of course death. And In return we get bonus innocence time. When you are a child you believe everything is possible, because in a sense it is. You are a ten... Everybody actually has a shot at being Bill Gates. Oh… not everybody. When you are a kid you believe you are an invincible all powerful being, and the world that revolves around you, has an absolute order where good always triumphs over evil, and everything makes sense." -Raines