It's the mantra of (almost) every teenager, but underneath the classic teen angst, I think most of us are expressing a deep heart cry--to be understood, to have people in our lives who really get us for who we are. I think it's a desire that outlives our acne--it's something that sticks with us all of our lives.
The past few weeks at Anthem Young Adults' Network, we've been talking about how Jesus is Immanuel--God with us. I've heard that since I was a little girl in Sunday School listening to the Christmas story recited by older kids in retired bath robes who also played "Jingle Bells" on their kazoos.
But this season, I heard it--Jesus is Immanuel, God with us--in a fresh way. Maybe it was partly due to an incredible video or a message or just thinking about different life experiences I've had or gone through with friends and family.
It's interesting to really think of Jesus as God with us--the God who gets you and me. After Anthem, I went home and started making a list of some of the ways He can relate to you and me and our experiences on this planet. It's by no means a comprehensive list--but here's what I have so far:
- Jesus had parents.
- Jesus had siblings (at least one--James, son of Mary and Joseph).
- But in a way, Jesus was also an only child (God's only Son).
- Jesus went to school.
- Jesus went to church (synagogue).
- At times in His life, Jesus followed others and submitted to their imperfect authority (even though He was perfect God in flesh!).
- Jesus also knew what it meant to lead.
- Jesus probably felt a bit different sometimes--like people didn't get Him.
- But He also fit in and hung out with lots of types of people--rich, poor, scholars, sinners, men, women, etc.
- Jesus knew what it was like to have great friends.
- Jesus knew what it was like to be betrayed by a friend.
- Jesus had a job--he worked as a carpenter until he was 30.
- Jesus was single.
- Jesus knew what it was to be unnoticed or undervalued.
- Jesus knew what it was like to be in the spotlight, followed by thousands. [ Random rabbit trail, but I kind of smiled when I thought about this--I wonder if Jesus was ever the "It" bachelor of Nazareth? If my mom had been around back then, she would have said to me, "He builds things! He treats his mother well! He likes kids! He's practically perfect...what's not to like?" :) ]
- Jesus celebrated and had fun.
- Jesus cried.
- Jesus had close friends who were sick.
- Jesus experienced the death of at least one close friend (Lazarus--before He brought him back to life!) and a parent (Joseph).
- Jesus spoke out against injustice.
- Jesus showed kindness and bestowed dignity on outcasts in society (women, Samaritans, lepers...and more).
- Jesus hung out with people who were really lost.
- Jesus challenged hypocrisy.
- Jesus forgave others.
- Jesus loved deeply.
There's probably a million more. But how miraculous is it that I get to serve a perfect, all-knowing, all-powerful God who can personally relate with my life? A God who doesn't just know what I feel (good or bad), but can actually empathize with my tough experiences and celebrate my happiness?
Wow. I wonder how people--how I--would live if we really knew and daily recognized that's the kind of God we can actually get to know?
I hope that this lesson of the true gift of Christmas--Immanuel, God with us--the God who gets us--stays close to your heart and mine this season.
Much love to you.
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