Paul said, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”  Quite a statement!  It speaks of Paul’s desire to see those around him become like Jesus.  It speaks of a discipleship that was more modeling than teaching.  It also speaks of a man who was willing to let people see him for who he really was.  The invitation –  see my heart for Christ and copy it.

Can we say that today? Can we invite others to not just learn from our words, but also our lives?  This is the mark of a servant leader.  They are people who are not trying to hide themselves from others.  Instead, they seek to show themselves to others.  In order to do so they must be genuine.  They must be who they claim to be.  They must claim who they really are.  What a task!

And yet, as I think about that, I am reminded that essentially we do that by nature.  Oh yes, there are those who aspire to greatness and put on a face that they hope people will not see through.  These are people of power.  These are people of prestige.  These are not people I am usually speaking to.  Us average Joes don’t put on much of a front in the presence of others.  Sure, we try to mind our manners and stuff, but we are not fake.  We do not hide our true nature from people.  We share it.  For those who are married, we share it with our wives.  If we have children, we share it with them.  Do we have coworkers?  They see it too. Even our neighbors see us and who we are, at least a little.  It is natural!

Yet, the word discipleship can be scary for us.  We may fear that we will lead someone else astray.  It is quite a challenge.  Yet, if it is going to happen naturally any way, why not make it count for Jesus!  Seek to be that person that Jesus is calling you to be.  Do it when you successfully obey Him and when you stumble badly.  Be righteous in Christ’s way, and deal with your sin in Christ’s way.  What a lesson you and I could be for someone.  Maybe, we will even be it for those we do not know are watching!

Something to think about,

Pastor John