From Leisa Humbley

Live as Jesus Lived

FOCUSED, TEACHABLE, OBEDIENT

My dog is teachable, she's just not always obedient. Once I found her with her lead in her mouth, standing at the front door, waiting patiently for someone to take her for a walk. A highly intelligent communicator. On other occasions, she will bark incessantly at the rain. An anxious little ball of fur. She can sit on command, fetch a ball and stay if directed, but when a bird threatens to land on our lawn, her training goes out the window, and it's game on! She gets distracted. She loses focus, seeing only the threat and not the reward.

It says in 1 John 2:6 (NLT): "Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did."

As disciples, it can be difficult to stay focused and live as Jesus did. We get distracted. We can often focus on the threat of a sinful dark world, forgetting the victory of living in the light of our Saviour, Jesus. Being obedient to God's laws and loving others the same way Jesus does is not always easy, but it is possible.

God doesn't want us to focus on things that will cause us to stumble in our walk of obedience with him. Instead, God wants us to live our lives in accordance with his commandments: to love him and love others with the same love we have for ourselves (Mathew 22:37-40).

I love my dog. She is teachable, and even though at times it is challenging, I keep training her for her sake so that she will truly know me and feel safe with me. So that we can share a relationship of mutual trust and love. How much more is God committed to loving us and teaching us to live as Jesus lived?

We can sometimes think that God's ways are too hard for us or that there are just some people in this world who are unlovable, unreachable, unteachable.

If you truly want to know God and feel completely safe with him, he needs you to be teachable. That means reading and understanding his instructions for living as described in his Word, and putting that knowledge into practice in everyday life. It means being open to learning new truths about God's love for you, and allowing that love to overflow to others. It means accepting Jesus as king of your life because he has demonstrated the most incredible act of love: sacrifice.

If we are to be true disciples, we will live as Jesus lived.

Reflection

• What are some distractions that may be taking your focus away from God today?
• How is God teaching you to live as Jesus lived? How will you put this into practice?
• Who can help you be obedient to God, and how can they encourage you to stay focused on Jesus?
• Why not share your reflections with them and start the conversation?

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, I thank you for your Word that brings light to my life and shows me how to live in your love. Help me to stay focused on you, Lord Jesus. Lead me in the way that you lived and show me how to love like you. When I am tempted to stumble or lose my way, please Lord, remind me of your grace. Help me to be obedient as I discover your will for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen.