Examples

Passage – Brothers, join in imitating me, and pay attention to those who live according to the pattern we have set for you. Philippians 3:17

Restated in my own words – Paul encouraged Christ followers to imitate the pattern of those set before them.

Application to my life – I suppose I need to ask myself two questions.

1. Whose example am I following?
2. What kind of example am I setting for others?

I got a little aggravated on Wednesday night because my pastor was, in my opinion, flippant about prayer. He left the mic saying “Here you go, Pray”. I know he is human, but he was also the example. It hurt my heart. It also hurts my heart that our leaders aren’t there for prayer consistently. I realize they have busy lives and won’t always be able to attend. It is more of a rarity though and that is not an example I want to follow.

I question if I’m really following anyone’s example. I love my spiritual mentor. I suppose if I had to pick anyone that is who I would say that I’m really currently learning from. I have had other examples in my past that I have followed.

But what about me, what kind of example am I setting? There are many things that I do daily, but most are not seen by others. It’s not that being seen by others is why I do them, but examples are seen. Although I know others see the fruit of these habits I don’t think they see the cost that fruit came at.

I realized some of my seen behaviors are also not good. I’m still critical and at times gossiping. Neither of which honor God or set a good example. I know God is working on me.

Your response to God – Lord, give me discernment about who I should follow. I know that You are my primary example, but give me skin that also sets an example to follow. Not just models from history and leaders afar, but ones I can do life with.

Lord Give me grace for the areas You were working on and give grace to those who are following my example, to not pick up my bad habits. Help me to see the good qualities in others and not to just focus on their shortcomings. Help me remember that I can’t see behind a closed doors. Let me see other’s fruit and discern.