Boy Like Me, Man Like You

Do you ever feel like that seeking to be closer to Jesus is like being stuck on a performance treadmill? We think, "If I can only be good enough then God will love me." My friends, that is stinkin' thinkin'!!! Over and over again Christians confuse being on the #NarrowRoad to following Jesus with being perfect even as Jesus was perfect. We aren't- so we try to hide our faults and our sins. We bury our transgressions and try to make our lights look brighter by seeking to diminish the lights of others. Or perhaps you are like me and just allow perfectionism to become so discouraging that you give up trying to stay on the path and forge your own way. We will always fall short when we compare ourselves to the man who was both human and the Son of God. But what about when Jesus was a kid? Was he more like us? Maybe a few glimpses into his childhood would give us much more hope as we seek to be the people he calls us to be- people on the #NarrowRoad.

Seriously- do you ever wonder what Jesus was like as a kid? Those stories are conspicuously absent from the Gospels, except for him teaching in the temple at age 12 or so. We know that He lived without sin, but how close to the line did He walk? Was he a teacher's pet or a class clown? Did he flirt with the girls? He was tempted an as adult- how much greater was the temptation at age 9? I know none of this really matters historically, but for those of us who want to be Christ-followers a little more info could have been helpful. Today I share the words of one of my favorite songs, written by one of my favorite people- the late Rich Mullins (pictured at top). Rich was more like Jesus than any man I ever met, but he also understood that it was grace, not perfectionism, than keeps us on the #NarrowRoad. Think about Jesus, the man, and Jesus, the Son of God. And let the last line just wash over you and become your prayer- Jesus, let me be like you! We will never get there, but we can let the love of Jesus shine through us. If we ever really do grow up...

Boy Like Me, Man Like You

You was a baby like I was once, You was cryin' in the early mornin'

You was born in a stable Lord, Reid Memorial is where I was born

They wrapped You in swaddling clothes

Me they dressed in baby blue

But I was twelve years old in the meeting house

Listening to the old men pray

And I was tryin' hard to figure out

What it was that they was tryin' to say

There You were in the temple, they said You weren't old enough to
 know the things You knew

Well, did You grow up hungry? Did You grow up fast?

Did the little girls giggle when You walked past?

Did You wonder what it was that made them laugh?

And did they tell You stories 'bout the saints of old? Stories about their faith?

They say stories like that make a boy grow bold, stories like that make a man walk straight 

And You was a boy like I was once But was You a boy like me

Well, I grew up around Indiana, You grew up around Galilee

And if I ever really do grow up, Lord I want to grow up and be just like You

Well, did You wrestle with a dog and lick his nose?

Did You play beneath the spray of a water hose?

Did You ever make angels in the winter snow?

And did they tell You stories 'bout the saints of old? Stories about their faith?

They say stories like that make a boy grow bold,
stories like that make a man walk straight

Did You ever get scared playing hide and seek?

Did You try not to cry when You scraped Your knee?

Did You ever skip a rock across a quiet creek?

And did they tell You stories 'bout the saints of old? Stories about their faith?

They say stories like that make a boy grow bold,
stories like that make a man walk straight

And I really may just grow up and be like You... someday

I think Jesus the boy would have made one heck of a friend...but he makes an even better Savior!  And as for me ever really growing up...keep praying everyone!

Because of Jesus,