Confessions of a Christian - Pursuing Christlikeness

Strength and grace meet in stillness. Christlikeness begins in moments like these—quiet, humbled, and surrendered.

Recently, I experienced two moments that caused me to pause, reflect, and examine my heart’s response to frustration. Both incidents tested my emotions, patience, and perspective. Ultimately, they reminded me that growing in Christlikeness requires spiritual discernment and humility.

The Mother Lion Within

The first incident involved my son being attacked with malicious intent, spreading lies and deceit to stir up trouble. Though I tried to present myself calmly, my “mother lion” instincts immediately rose up. It threw my day off balance, and for a moment, I was angry. I dislike wasting my time and dealing with foolishness. As I recentered, I remembered Jesus is both the Lion and the Lamb.

By evening, God revealed the truth, covering our son with His favor. As I processed everything, the Holy Spirit gently prompted me to do what believers should always do when faced with opposition: pray.

Here’s the powerful part: we did not pray for ourselves. Together as a family, we prayed for those who opposed and frustrated us without cause. We asked God to bless them because our weapons are not natural but spiritual. Through prayer, God turned frustration into peace. As a parent leader, I am grateful that our son witnessed the practical side of faith. He saw how we turn to God, even in life’s smaller conflicts, to find peace and perspective.

He witnessed our frustration, then he saw our peace. That was the true victory.

A Missed Opportunity for Grace

I needed a break!

We took a short getaway where I encountered a woman sitting barefoot on the main staircase leading to our villas, smoking a cigarette. Annoyance stirred in me immediately. I never understood why smokers congregated in front of common entrances, forcing people to walk through their second-hand smoke. It seems disrespectful to others sharing that space. Knowing my son was coming behind me, I felt some kind of way about her decision. I imagine my face showed my feelings too. I judged her for her actions and inconsiderate placement near the entrance.

Though she greeted me kindly, my irritation was likely not hidden. Without a word, she stood and moved to another area. Later, I reflected in prayer, and the Holy Spirit convicted me. I realized I reduced her to “the smoker,” which was a label, not a person.

I did not know her story. Perhaps she struggled to quit, perhaps she carried silent shame, or maybe she was simply trying to ease her stress. What if God placed her there so I could offer compassion or a prayer? Instead, I missed a divine opportunity because I focused on my comfort and my family.

Too often, we let our preferences, busyness, and frustrations blind us to the purpose God may have hidden in our encounters. We see “smoke” and miss the person. We allow judgment to cloud discernment. 

The Call to Christlike Leadership

Growing in Christlikeness is about heart transformation. We must deny our inclinations to be self-absorbed, self-righteous, or condescending in any way. God resists proud people but gives grace to the humble! He even hates a proud look, so Christians must see every soul through God’s eyes, not our own filters. Proverbs 6:16-17, James 4:6 (NKJV)

When we rush past people because we “have better things to do,” we risk missing divine moments to be light in someone’s darkness.  There are opportunities all around us to be more like Jesus, especially when people differ from our views, values, and socioeconomic status. “If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.”  Galatians 6:3 (NLT)

Living like Christ is not a campaign slogan, at least not for true Christians. It is a lifestyle of accountability and conviction.  Spiritual leadership is not about titles, positions, or power.  God is seeking heart transformation from people who want to be molded into the image of Christ, displaying grace and mercy daily.

Jesus, the greatest leader of all, was constantly moved with compassion to help people. He did not overlook the outcast or dismiss the brokenhearted. If we call ourselves Christ followers, then we, too, must walk in that same grace.

Final Reflection 

Both of these moments blessed and humbled me because there is safety in being checked by the Holy Spirit; it lets me know I am still His. Where there is no spiritual correction, there is no true relationship with God, for He disciplines those He loves. Hebrews 12:6 (NLT)

I am not ashamed to receive His correction; it is a sign of His love for me. Just as a loving parent guides their child or a good leader redirects their team, God’s correction reminds us that we are seen, valued, and loved. 

I was short on grace and compassion both times, but I am grateful the conviction awakened me spiritually to be more like Jesus in practical ways. God’s character refinement often happens in these “little moments” when no one else is watching. Yet, He sees all, and our integrity of heart matters to God!

So, let’s raise our standard, publicly and privately. 

Ask God to sharpen our discernment, soften our hearts, and open our spiritual eyes to the opportunities around us. The next time frustration rises or judgment creeps in, pause and pray:

“Lord, what do You want to do through me right now?”

That’s how we grow in Christlikeness…one surrendered moment at a time.