The Practices of Jesus

One of the most beautiful realities talked about in this sermon was that although nobody on this earth is naturally meek, we can become meek through Jesus. What I love about the practices of Jesus in Psalm 37 is that they are not just exercises to become meek or cultivate a character to become like Him; they are practices that teach us how we open our minds to a power far greater than our own and effect change. Here are some practices that really stood out to me:

Psalm 37:5

Commit your way to the Lord and trust in him.

Committing and trusting Him means we must follow his rhythms of life in our daily thoughts and actions. If we want to experience the life of Jesus, we have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.

Psalm 37:7

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.

“Wait patiently for him” doesn’t mean being stagnant. There is a call to respond in the phrase “wait”, not a justification to do nothing at all.

Psalm 37: 8

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret- it only leads to evil.

When we let go of our anger, anxiety, and anything else we grip on so tightly on our own, not only do we become meek but we start moving through the world shoulder to shoulder with Jesus and life becomes more freeing. An easy life isn’t an option; an easy yoke is.

I appreciate how DJ explained how the beatitudes are not only Jesus painting a portrait of himself, but also a portrait of us if we choose to dwell in him. Through practices like these, we can inherit everything the earth has to offer simply because we choose to embrace him- what a gift!