Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV
A familiar folk saying is that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. It means you shouldn’t get irritated when someone copies your style. They are making an unspoken compliment to you. They are saying your haircut looks great. Your outfit is so attractive, they want to look like that too. I’m not sure that translates all the way across imitation, but it certainly carries some truth.
I would change it slightly to say this: Imitation is the sincerest and most dynamic form of following. We are aware that in sports, music, career, parenting, marriage, most areas of life, the best way to do something well is to find someone who is excellently executing what you want to do. Choose to let them speak into your life by word and example. Follow them faithfully and you will very likely end up at your desired destination.
As Paul discipled the new believers in Corinth, there were no discipleship “programs,” no booklets to follow, not even a New Testament to read. But Paul was not discouraged by lack of resources. HE was the resource. He told them without arrogance, “If you want to truly get to your desired destination, follow me as I follow Christ.” He knew that as long as Christ’s voice was THE voice in his life, and his obedience was quick and complete, his own life would go in the right direction, and he would be a faithful leader to all who followed him.
All of us need to primarily follow Christ, but it also helps to have someone who is faithfully following as an anchor in life as well. As you study the life of Paul, you will see he was not a lone ranger. He surrounded himself with other top-tier devoted followers. He was close to Peter, James, John, Timothy, and many others. Acquilla and Priscilla, leaders in the early church, initially mentored him.
We also need to be aware of people around us who will look at who we are and begin to “follow us” in life. Certainly, our children, and then we all have others who are choosing to do life as they witness us doing it. We get to choose how we live our lives, but we don’t get to select who gets to follow us and who does not. People will follow us or “unfollow” us based on what they see that is worth following.
I need to confidently be able to say like Paul, “I’m not perfect, but if you follow me the way I follow Christ, I am confident you will end up in the right place.” God will lead you well as a leader who faithfully follows and will enable your voice to lead others for His good purpose.
- God, help me today to be a faithful imitator of You.