Column: Look like the Christ

Gina Johnson First Christian Church

Do you look like me?

I know, your immediate answer to that is, “I don’t look like you.” I’m tall, you’re short. You have long hair and I have short hair. I’m in my 50s, you’re in your 20s. Your skin is brown and mine is fair, so obviously we don’t look alike.

However, that’s not the question I’m asking.

I’m asking, “How do you see things and people in the world?” Do you look like Jesus or, better yet, do you look like the Christ?

Now for those of you reading this who prefer no affiliation to Jesus (or Christ) and get hung up in some way, that’s OK! And if you’re like, “I don’t do the whole savior thing,” that’s fine too. I would wonder what you’re being saved from? And if you have a bad taste in your mouth when it comes to Jesus because of something that occurred early on in your life and you haven’t let go of that story, again, I hope you get through that.

When I’m speaking of Jesus, I am speaking of Jesus the master teacher and the way-shower. Jesus the divine human being that knew who he was and his ability to go beyond this incarnation.

As a teacher, Jesus taught us to remember who we are and the empowerment that lies within us. Jesus showed us that even in the face of adversity, we have the gifts to move mountains and to perform miracles. Jesus looked at people for who they are and met them where they were at. Jesus didn’t care about old or young, black or white, riches or poverty . Jesus wasn’t looking at a person’s past, future, financial status or occupation. Jesus wasn’t looking at people to see what’s in it for him as he built relationships and community.

Jesus simply looked with love. That’s being the Christ. He saw us and knew we were just like him. He can’t force us to see or do things the way he does, and I would imagine that could be discouraging. Yet, he kept on, knowing what was happening was beyond the external, and far greater than what we could comprehend.

He knew when he looked at us that our limitations and places of separation were just perceptions, so, until the time was right, he would just keep teaching, healing, being and, ultimately, loving. He looks upon us and sees our finest selves. He sees our divinity. He sees our limitless potential to live in the spirit and reality of oneness where all we do is governed by love.

So, here we are, the week of Thanksgiving, Black Friday and jam-packed calendars as we try to remember what this season, or should I say life, is all about.

My challenge to you is to be still each day for just a moment before you go out into the world. And in that stillness, ask yourself what do I “look” like, and is it possible that today I will “look” like the Christ?