What Example Do We Follow?

 

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children…”

—Ephesians 5:1a

We are generally inclined to follow the example of someone we hold in high esteem. At least that’s what I have tended to do, especially growing up.

The man who first took me under his wing when he noticed that I had read every book in the public library and school library related to radio broadcasting was a history teacher named Daniel W. Smith. Dan Smith worked part-time at the local radio station in my hometown, WESB. He was on the air in the evenings and also did “color” for the live broadcasts of high school sporting events.

Once I became familiar with other announcers at the station—and also became friends with the man who served as Chief Engineer, Program Director, News Director, and held several other positions at the station, William M. Winn—I noticed that Dan Smith operated the control board significantly differently than the other staff members. Dan had a very unique way of opening the potentiometer (pot) that controlled the microphone. He made this move with such a flare that I immediately was impressed with his agility in handling multiple inputs in a very smooth and seamless manner.

So, when I began to operate the control board myself, I adopted Dan’s technique. It was quite awkward for me, at first. One day, Bill Winn asked me why I didn’t simply push the button that he had built into the board to turn on the mic. Then, before I could even answer, with a somewhat silly grin on his face, Bill said, “Because that’s the way Dan does it.”

Bill Winn knew that I had emulated my mentor. I had followed the example of someone I held in very high esteem. And, that’s what we all tend to do. When faced with an experience where we have observed how someone we trust handled that situation, we do what our mentor did.

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the perfect mentor. But, unless we have risen to a very high level of spiritual formation, we probably find it difficult at times to follow in Christ’s footsteps.

For example, in this time of such strident political discourse, I find it hard to curb my tongue when faced with what I consider to be outrageous behavior on the part of some politicians. I also recognize that some of my predispositions toward politics and government come from my fear of economic loss—particularly if our country doesn’t turn back to some of the roots I hold dear.

But, in all honesty, I’m not at all certain that Jesus would view things the way I often do. I can give intellectual assent to the fact that we should care for the poor. But, in actual practice, I find that supporting our system of government assistance to the poor grates against what I am too quick to call “common sense.” I do firmly believe that the Church should be the agent to care for the poor, not the government. But, the Church has largely failed to do so; at least to the extent that the maximum number of people who need help can be cared for efficiently and expediently.

So, I find myself caught in a dilemma. Do I truly want to follow the pathway of Jesus? Or, do I want to cling to my fearful ways and support policies that seem to disavow the kind of care that Jesus would extend to those truly in need? I’ve yet to find an answer that I can integrate into my mind and heart with regard to this matter.

The Apostle Paul no doubt struggled with somewhat similar issues when he tried to find his way through the political mess of his times. He was, after all, one of the rare Jews who had obtained Roman citizenship. He had sworn an allegiance to Rome. But now, he belonged to Jesus. He had a new King. And, the new King required an obedience very different from Paul’s previous degree of submission to spiritual authority.

Notice what Paul writes in Ephesians 5:1-2:

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Follow God’s example! This is not a simple recommendation. This is so difficult that we can only hope to achieve this goal by totally relying on the indwelling Holy Spirit.

As we begin a new day, let’s ask God to help us learn to distinguish from the beliefs we hold dear that are rooted in our own fear or predispositions that might be in conflict with His perfect will. And, let’s determine to take the first baby steps to actually follow the example of our Lord and King. I have the strong sense that if we do, we will become very different people—at least I will.

 

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