#941 – 33

I celebrated my 33^rd birthday on Friday. I had a great birthday and a tremendous birthday weekend. I was able to spend time with a number of my friends and family. I got a box of the new set of Magic cards. And I had a superb steak dinner with Alycia on Friday night.

So far 33 is off to a good start, but that’s only because I spent three days celebrating with my friends and family.

One weird part about being 33, though, is the comparisons to Jesus. I’ve had a few people remind me that Jesus was 33 when he died.

Jesus’s three-year ministry culminated when he was 33 with his death and resurrection. I hope that my year doesn’t end in the same way as Jesus’s year; a lot of things would have to go bad for that to happen.

I’m definitely in a different place than Jesus was when he turned 33.

I live in the United States in 2014.

I am married.

No one is plotting to kill me as far as I know.

I’m not completely transforming the universe through my life.

So there are a lot ways that I’m not like Jesus. But I also hope there some ways that I am like Jesus.

I hope that I’m spreading God’s kingdom wherever I go.

I hope that I’m placing the needs of others above my own.

I hope that I’m investing in my relationship with the Father.

I hope that I’m trusting in who the Father says I am more than the expectations of others.

Those are all hopes I’ve had for a long time, though. For most of my life I’ve wanted to be more and more like Jesus. If I had waited until I was 30 or 33 to start acting like Jesus, then I would have wasted a lot of time.

We don’t have to live like Jesus to be like Jesus. No matter our age, location or gender, we can be like Jesus. We can model his love for the Father and his love for people no matter who we are or where we find ourselves. 33 isn’t a magical age that finally allows me to be like Jesus. We can be like Jesus every day, as long as we wake up committed to modeling his life and attitude.

Jesus may have been 33 when he died and rose again, but we can strive to be like Jesus no matter what. I can’t build anything out of wood and nails, but just because I’m no carpenter doesn’t mean I can’t be like Jesus.

What helps you be more like Jesus on a daily basis?