“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” (John 20:21)
Jesus had a specific calling and mission in life. He came into the world to be Israel’s Messiah and the Savior of the world. He lived to prove the first call, and died to accomplish the second. All Christ’s disciples are called into conformity to Him. We may do the works He did. We may die a martyr’s death. But all who follow the Master are called to be like Him in living a life pleasing to the Father, and walking in obedience to the Spirit of God. While not specifically mirroring His special calling and mission, all of our lives should be shaped to the general contours of His life.
Are you living to fulfill your own will; or, the will of Christ who has sent you into this world to be His expression to it? Are you leaning to your own mind and understanding and arriving at your own judgments; or, are you depending on the Lord to teach you all things? Are you wanting others to see who you are, what you can do, what you know – out of a desire to win their admiration; or, are you only interested in shining for the Lord, and having others praise the Jesus they see in you?
The Son was sent into the world by the Father to fulfill a specific mission. How grateful we are that He did the will of Him who sent Him and successfully finished the work He was given to do. Our success in life is chiefly found in one thing – being like Jesus. If we say we abide in Him, we will walk even as He walked. Our lives will uniquely mirror His. God forbid we “be ourselves,” without being like Christ.