Be Like Me

MONDAY 3.10.08 - ACTS 26:29
Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

Dear Lord, this is probably one of the most difficult texts for me. It seems so anti-Scriptural. There is no humility in this saying of Paul, that is what jumps out to me right away. Often it is hard to jump through that to what I might apply to myself, or to our church, or whatever wisdom this passage holds.

I think a lot of my hang up is Paul. I've read his letters so frequently, had them referenced so frequently, seen the church lift him high above Jesus at times, seen things go terribly wrong in the church because Paul's teachings became distorted...It's just made me frustrated with the written Paul. So sometimes it is hard to separate the fact that what the church has done with Paul isn't who Paul really is, or what he was trying to accomplish. I suppose this is a lot like last year when I wrote that I didn't really like Jesus. What I really meant, as I studied, is that I didn't properly understand Jesus. Now that I've spent a year in Scripture studying I like Jesus, I suppose if I would really get to the truth of what Paul is saying, I would like him as well.

So the question of the day: Paul says that he wishes that all who hear him would be like him, could I say that? Well, to be honest, and maybe this is what is scary, I think I could in many ways. All would be a tough word, because there are some people who are a better example than I am, and therefore they shouldn't be like me, I should be more like them. But my students at school for example, my tennis players, these young generations that I help to guide. I could look them in the eye and say, "I pray that you would be like me, except for these chains."

And when I say be like me, what do I mean? Because I don't mean be a pastor/father/math & Bible teacher/tennis coach. Like Paul, I am talking about the type of person God is making me to be. And I think that that hits the nail on the head. I would be comfortable saying "Be like me" not because I'm a finished project, heck no, but because I am serious about letting You conform me into Your likeness. I don't do a great job all the time. I don't always follow Your voice, sometimes I don't even hear Your wisdom coming to me, sometimes I am frustrated with the Scriptures, etc. But within me there is an honest desire. And that is the part of me that would truly allow me to say "Be like me."

Okay, so I start this by saying I don't like Paul, because this seems a little pompous and not at all humble, then I go on to say, "Yeah, be like me too." Just to put things back in proper perspective..."Except for these chains" applies to me too, but not even close to the way that Paul meant it. Paul said that because he was physically in chains, and in those chains for the preaching that Jesus is Lord. I am in chains too, but they are my own sin bondage. For years and years I have dealt with the same issues, and there oppression is ever present, right around the corner ready to pounce. Thank God for the times of victory, like recently, but the times of defeat are dark and self-chastising times that I don't wish on anyone. It's not really worse than anyone else's sins, but because I do have an honest desire to reflect Christ, it makes me all the more ashamed of myself. So, no, I don't wish people to be exactly like me.

I wish that those who hear me would be like me: Have an honest desire to follow Christ, and let that desire shape your actions. Fast, pray, get up at 5:15 in the morning to seek God in the Scripture, start a church, actively look to serve, be passionate about the Lord.

I wish that those who hear me would be like me, except for these chains: sin is a dark oppression, and the shame that comes with it just as dark. Don't stay in these places, let the joy and hope of the Lord pull you out. Staying and dwelling in your sin, and I say this by experience, leads to lack of confidence and fear. These things belong nowhere in the Kingdom.

Lord, I pray that You will keep conforming me into Your image, that I might say be like me with complete confidence. For while I will explain myself in the relative anonymity of a blog, I could not proclaim this in person to many a person, especially one of "higher rank" as Paul did. Continue to deepen my appreciation for Paul and his desire to be like You. What I want "be like me" to mean, in reality, is "be like YOU." All glory and honor to Christ Jesus forever, Amen.