I’m going to take a short break from the series I’ve been posting, to look in the mirror. What kind of image of Jesus Christ do I reflect to my friends, family and co-workers? They all know I’m Christian, so I suspect the non-believers in my circle of acquaintances may perceive Christianity as being what they see in me. And it doesn’t always look good.

Take yesterday for example; I experienced a “mild” loss of temper at work yesterday, with my venom aimed at my boss no less. In retrospect, I totally over-reacted. Yet the vision of a Christian living in the peace given by Jesus, the peace beyond human understanding, was no where to be seen.

I spent the evening trying to figure out why I had reacted the way I did. I reluctantly realized that it all boiled down to my selfishness. Things were not going the way I wanted them to, so I got upset. Now what might Jesus have to say to me?

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14b) Feeling embarrassed and a bit angry about my loss of temper indeed humbled me. I felt very low. And I just couldn’t get my mind off of the day’s events. Try as I might to focus of something else, my mind kept wrenching me back to my temper tantrum. I was reminded of Paul’s advice to the Corinthians: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

“But Lord, it’s all so difficult for me. I’ve been striving to find true humility and peace almost all of my Christian life. I know that to keep my eyes firmly fixed upon you is the only true path to peace, yet I find it seemingly impossible in my world of earthly distractions. How can I do it? I just feel so helpless.”

“Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God.’” (Luke 18:27)

“But Lord, I can’t help but worry about my lack of control over my behavior. As Paul lamented in chapter 7 of his letter to those in Rome, I know how I want to behave, and I know the image of you that I wish to project to others, but I’m just not able to do it.”

“O you of little faith? So do not worry… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:30, 31, 33)

Thank you dear Jesus.