What are you looking at?

"looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrews 12:2

Someone has said "you become like that which you focus on". Children naturally and unknowingly imitate their parents because they see them all the time. I'm amazed how much my grandson Ethan's mannerisms are similar to Jennifer his mom, whose mannerisms are similar to mine (grandpa). This process happens naturally by simply being with another person. Have you ever noticed how married couples begin to look like each other the longer they are married or how we finish each other sentences?

The rate of transformation can be increased by being intentional about it. I go out every morning to learn TaiChi from Master Yu Wing Ho. As I am learning I try to watch and imitate his every move. I've even asked him where he got the light cotton pants he practices in, because they look way more comfortable than my Western warm-ups.  Someday I'll show up dressed like him! (He shaves his head every 2 weeks, but I'm not ready to go that far, yet.) :-)

When the author of Hebrews exhorts us "looking to Jesus", we should understand the words in the fullest sense possible.

• Hang out with Jesus. The more time you spend with Jesus, the more like him you will become. Listen to the Bible as you work or exercise. Youversion.com has audio versions for your phone that you can play and meditate on as you do housework, exercise, etc. Listen and talk to Jesus about what you are hearing. Attend church and life groups. Hang out with other people who want to be like Jesus. Hang out with Jesus.

• Be intentional about imitating Jesus. Read the gospels and let the heart of Jesus touch and challenge you. See how he treats others and intentionally do the same. If you have a "big brother or sister" in the Lord, watch them and imitate them as they imitate Christ. Don't imitate their failings, but learn from them as well. 

Looking to Jesus can be both natural and intentional. What are you looking at?