If one of the goals of the spiritual life is to be more and more conformed to the image of Jesus, how do I know how I’m doing with that? Is it something that only God and I can see, or can others see Jesus in me, too?
So Garrett, who’s about 5 years old, calls me “Jesus” when he sees me. Of course, the rest of his family thinks this is kind of funny and are quick to say “That’s Pastor Cahill,” but I wonder. And almost-3-year-old Amelia calls me “Jesus”, too. In fact, yesterday at church she kept up a running commentary to her parents and grandmother as to what Jesus was doing at any given time in the worship service. She also declared her intention to give me a hug before they left (which I happily accepted). Her family is trying to teach her that I’m not Jesus but Pastor Cahill – but I wonder.
I wonder what these children see in me that makes them call me Jesus. Is it just the white robe and the beard, or is there something more? Is there something in the way I carry myself, or in the way I preach? Is there something in the way I talk to them, or to their parents? Are they somehow picking up a connection between the way I act and what they’re learning about Jesus from me and from their parents? If so, do I want them to learn that Pastor Cahill isn’t Jesus because he’s not like Jesus at all, or do I want them to learn that Jesus is like Pastor Cahill, only way better? I think that’s it. Lord, let me live in such a way that these children – and many others, too – learn to know You and Your love for them!
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