Daily thought for Friday 14th March 2025
“Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us.”
Philippians 3:17 (NRSV)
Nice outfit … cool hair
Douglas Hamilton
As I was growing up, I am sure I was not the only one who went through various stages of modelling myself on well-known sports or music stars. I look back with a considerable degree of embarrassment at some of the clothes I wore or hair styles I had. What was I thinking? Did I really imagine that wearing a jumper like Stephen Hendry might make me a better snooker player, or that having the same football boots as Kenny Dalglish was going to propel me towards soccer stardom? Maybe I should have been spending more time copying their actions and training routines rather than what they were wearing!
From a very early age, we start imitating others around us. It is how we learn to speak, to walk, and to react to situations. We see toddlers copying adults by pushing a toy baby in a pushchair or using a toy hoover to help with the cleaning. As parents, we are also conscious of the particular behaviours or words that we don’t want our children to copy. Recognising that we are wired to be imitators, we try to be careful about who or what influences our children.
Paul urges the new Christians in Philippi to imitate his own pattern of life, and to learn from others who have followed his example. As we seek to become more like Christ, it can often be helpful to learn from good Christian role models, those who are more experienced in their faith and can help us establish good rhythms and patterns in our own lives. It is probably not their clothes or hairstyle that we want to copy, but maybe their approach to prayer, Bible reading, regular worship and acts of service. These can help point us in the way we too can follow Christ.
Shall we pray?:
Gracious God, thank you for those people in our lives who have provided a good example for us to follow. Help us to establish good patterns of living that bring us closer to you. Amen.
Thinking it through:
Maybe take some time today to get in touch with someone who has been a positive influence for you in your walk with Jesus. Let them know how grateful you are, and encourage them.
Who are the people that are influencing us at the moment? Are they people who are drawing us closer to Jesus, or pulling us away?
How can we be a better Christian role model for others?