Meme: WWJS – A Personal Relfection

I have been tagged by Mike for this meme which was started at Lord, I Believe; help my unbelief! The question I am suppose to answer is, “What would Jesus say to me?”. Well…..phew….at least this meme isn’t tough.

This is a lot like an exercise that I have done at Spiritual Growth Retreats. During the exercise the leader of the retreat invites us to close our eyes and listen as she reads a scenario that we are suppose to immerse ourselves in to and become the person that she is reading about. She reads this beautiful description of how I am walking along a path, paying attention to all the details around me. Listening to the birds chirping their melodic song, feeling the breeze wrap around my body, seeing the beauty of a flower and so on and so forth. Then she reads that I am coming to a clearing and that there is a bench in the clearing with a man sitting there. As I come closer, I see that is Jesus. He invites me to sit next to him. At this point, those of us that retreat are instructed to journal what Jesus would say to us. For some, this becomes that most valuable exercise of the retreat. For me though, I always have a really hard time with it. I will again try it for this meme.

So, here I am. What would Jesus say to me if I met him in a clearing and we sat a visited a while? As I reflect on this question the first thing that comes to mind is that he would probably tell me how I need to get past my own insecurities so that I can become a better minister. There are some things that I struggle with. Yes, I preach, preside, lead young adult events, direct camps, etc. I feel very comfortable in those roles. But, my own insecurities make it hard for me to share with those whom I don’t know. Those whom I may come across at the super market. Those who may sit next to me on an airplane. I preach about witnessing but have a very hard time doing it. I can be very shy and am uncomfortable with my weight and at times let those things get in the way of ministry.

I believe he would also let me know that I need to be a voice for those that are oppressed. That I need to be willing to speak up more for those who are marginalized by society; the Muslims, the homosexuals, those with disabilities, those who are ethnically in the minority, the poor, etc. He would probably remind that we are all children of God and that no one should made less of a person because of who they are or because of how they are incorrectly percieved. That they shouldn’t be abused because of how our Heavenly Parent created them.

I think he would remind me that I talk a pretty good talk but don’t necessarily always walk a pretty good walk. I am sure I would be reminded that I have nothing to fear without him in my life. That if I continue to be a faithful servant that I will always be spiritually protected.

In the end I think he would let me know that I have made Him pleased thus far. That it is important to recognize my shortcomings but then learn from them as well and that as long as I do that He will be happy with how I am serving Him.

Wow! What an exercise. It leaves much to keep in thought and prayer even after I press the “Publish” button on this post. Thank you Mike for tagging me on this thought provoking, self-reflecting meme.

It is now my turn tag others so I choose to tag:

Nick at Sansego
Shannon at Erosophy
Christian at Flannel Christian