Hey readers! I love ideas, but I don't like all the darn hard work the carry them out, so I'm going to exercise my laziness a bit and combine my blog efforts. Now I can complete coursework and blogwork in one. (Don't worry it makes sense. My daily portraits are a reflection on my relationship with Jesus, and so is my assignment.)
Part 1: My best friend in life.
Nick Culbertson has been a best friend of mine through thick and thin for as long as I can remember. (Not really, but as long has been important, a.k.a middle school.) His friendship has meant more to me than most. Friends come and go, but Nick has been a constant in my life to some degree pretty much since I've met him, even though we've come from kind of different walks of life. Throughout our friendship, we have only grown more close, as we've come to change each other in small, but important ways and to absorb some of the better (and maybe worse) qualities from each other. Our friendship takes less effort than many others, because we generally get along. Of course, it wouldn't be a good friendship if we didn't challenge each other and take on each others' burdens, but we can do that with civility and grace. Nick has shown me a constancy and integrity that I find to be rare, and that is what I appreciate most.
Part 2: Philippians 2:5-13
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a human being,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
What does being like Jesus mean?
This passage brings up one of the most difficult to understand and emulate about Jesus. After stating His glory and power, it acknowledges how He refused to use it for His benefit but instead became a servant to others and to die for us. It's an astounding and impossible example.
What did Jesus do for you? How does that make you feel?
Jesus gave up much more than I have, and certainly more than I would be willing to give up as a selfish sinner. Although it makes me feel guilty, it also makes me feel loved.
Write about your current relationship with Jesus.
I am not perfect with relationships, and my relationship with the Savior can be strained just like any other. He's always there, but I'm sometimes vacant. Jesus was an outcast, and sometimes I treat him like that too, because I don't always want to talk to him either. Not always, but sometimes.
I also get busy. Ugh. I complain a lot about relationships in which one person does all the work. And yet, I'm ont he wrong side of that all the time with Jesus. He's always there, and always cares, but I let myself be too busy. Part of the reason I have this blog in the first place is to give myself some time with Jesus. Sure this blog is reflective, but it's also relational. (Speaking of relational, please discuss! Comment below or on Facebook).
I love Jesus, but no matter what, he will always love me better. I guess that's what happens when I'm human, and he is the embodiment of love.
No comments:
Post a Comment