Live like Jesus would live your life if He were you!

Perhaps the idea that apprentices “are constantly with him to learn to be like him” sounds too challenging to you. How could you accomplish this? 

Consider that the one who said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20) is already by your side and may be doing things to get your attention. Our job, then, is to pay attention to this constant companion of our lives. 

This practice of the presence of God is not a chore but the best way to live. We can turn our thoughts to Jesus throughout the day, using small reminders at first but always living out of a foundation of regular moments of being with Jesus through the written Word (and this is the purpose of Bible reading—not just to get to the bottom of the page). 

To be with Jesus this way means that during such times we live in our heart as well as our head. Both are good, but insights aren’t enough. We need to put our whole self into it and pray back to God what we find there. With gospel passages in particular, we can enter into them and tell Jesus how we respond to what we experience there. 

Perhaps even more challenging is how apprentices are learning to lead their everyday lives as he would lead their lives if he were they. 

If you’re a hair stylist or an engineer, how would Jesus do his work and treat his clients/coworkers if he were you? If you’re an adult child of an aging parent or the parent of an uncooperative teenager, how would Jesus treat this person if he were in your shoes? If you’re a small-business owner, how would Jesus approach your promotional activities? How would he respond to a complaining customer or times a product failed to measure up? What would Jesus write in each e-mail if he were in your body, living your life, responding to the person who just e-mailed you? 

TODAY’S EXPERIMENT - What is your next step in understanding and doing the things Jesus gave us specific commandments and teachings about? Consider how Jesus would lead your life if he were you—working at your job, living in your family and neighborhood, going to your church.