Thursday, January 17, 2008

The Bullet of Success: Modeling Maturity

To “look like Jesus” requires that I answer the question: “What does a mature man or woman look like?” You might find it interesting to consider the following list compiled by the social scientists as criteria for mental health:

  1. The warm association of at least one person who accepts you.

  2. Coming to terms with life instead of fighting circumstances, having achieved a sense of self-identity.

  3. Not suffering from an overwhelming inner conflict (guilt, fear, anger) so as to contribute to others instead of protecting self.

  4. The establishment of clear goals. Possessing a calm confidence that they can be reached.

  5. A feeling of belonging to a valued group.

Jesus had these. But He had more. I always thrill to read His High Priestly prayer in John 17 which concludes with the words: “O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You …” (v.25).

Jesus Christ knew the Father and that was the reason, the source, the contact for His magnificent life. People are goal-less, misdirected and drifting from one escape to another because they don’t really know God.

Almeron has said, “The best and noblest lives are those which are set toward high ideals. And the highest and noblest ideal that any man can have is Jesus of Nazareth!”

Or to put in more simply, aim your goals at Jesus Christ and you will hit everything worth hitting in life. “For in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3).

If you can’t honestly say your goal is better than Jesus Christ, then I lovingly suggest you change directions!

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