I'm trying to be like Jesus

There is a great song that the primary kids (3-11 yrs.) sing in Sunday school.

It's called, "I'm trying to be like Jesus."

I was listening to this beautiful song in the car a couple days ago and decided that it's my new favorite song. After all, my entire life is completely centered in this one simple sentence right. I'm trying to be like Jesus.

1. I'm trying to be like Jesus;
I'm following in his ways.
I'm trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

Chorus
Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.

2. I'm trying to love my neighbor;
I'm learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

Chorus
Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.
Taken from AlbumSongAndLyrics.com
Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938

You were all dying to know what this wonderful song said, so there ya go! But today I want to focus on the title. I'm TRYING to be like Jesus.

Trying...

JUST TRY!!!

I love this concept. I mentioned a scripture in my last post about when Christ taught his commandment to us to be perfect. Luckily, Jesus Christ wasn't just a great teacher. He came to earth not just to teach us and demand immediate perfection, but to save us. And because he, in his perfection, suffered and died for our sins, we now have the ability to try.

So why is this so hard? All we have to do is TRY to be perfect! We are growing grace for grace, and that growth comes from our commitment to try and try again. I have learned the great lesson to never tolerate where I am at, but to always try to be better. That's not to say I'm never happy with who I am. I am very proud of ground I have covered. I am surely a better man than I was last year, or the year before that. But I'm not satisfied either. I'm not done. I've been singing this song for 17 years now and I'm not done. I'm still trying.

So back to my question, why is this so hard? How come some people still have a hard time even trying to be like Jesus, let alone actually becoming like him. Honestly I can't figure it out. But I think it might be pride. Too proud of ourselves. We know better than Jesus. Let's be honest. He lived 2000 years ago, so there's no way he knows the answers to MY problems. Pride pride pride. I'll talk about that more another time. But while you are waiting, maybe give Jesus a try...