Who do you imitate or emulate? Is it someone who presents a positive image? Who are you setting an example for? What kind of an example are you setting? Do you realize you are setting an example for those you interact with regularly, and those who only see you once?
Setting an example is something we all do, whether we think about it or not. Think not? Perhaps you have noticed someone being completely obnoxious in a public setting. Maybe you also witnessed a young child who tried the same behavior. They were following the example they saw.
Setting a positive example is easier when we are following the positive example of someone else. Unfortunately, not all of us had positive role models when we were growing up. Maybe we have experienced negative influences for most of our lives. But that doesn’t mean we must continue with bad behavior and setting the wrong kind of example. We can choose to imitate someone else’s positive example.
The obvious answer is to follow Jesus’s example. However, that may be far too lofty for us to attain, at least in our current state. So, we can choose to imitate someone we know who present a positive image. Someone who is hardworking, speaks kindly to others, and shows respect to others. That’s a good start. As we desire to progress toward being more like Jesus, we should pray, asking Him to enter our hearts and change our attitude. We should seek to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If we are not hearing him, ask that he reveal himself to you. Ask that he fill you with the joy that only he can give you.
I pray we all desire to be imitators of Jesus. I pray we choose to be a positive example. I pray each one of us will ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and give us the joy that only he can give. Be imitators of Jesus. Be a positive example. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Receive the joy of the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 1:6-7 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy from the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.
