A few years ago Sunday school teachers in our church decided to conduct an experiment. They asked little kids one question: "Who do you want to be like?" Most answers were just as expected: boys and girls said they want to be like their parents, which is very normal for a certain age.
Some responses, however, were not as typical. One little boy said he wanted to be like a tiger (and roared at the camera). One little girl said that she wanted to be like her older sister. "Because she's kind, she likes children, and agreed to live in the same room as me!" Now, this little girl is a teenager, she's kind, she absolutely loves children, she lives in her own room, and keeps hearing how much she reminds people of her sister. This girl is my little sister!
I told you this cute little story to demonstrate how much our choice of a role model can influence our lives. And also that we all imitate someone (whether we realize that or not), and someone imitates us. This is why I encourage you to think: who are you trying to be like?
Who is Your Example?
The Bible talks quite a lot about examples and imitation, and in New Testament, you can find a pretty clear theory on who we should use as our role models. Mostly, the Bible tells us to imitate:
us - aka apostles and other church ministers;
leaders - similar to the first point but also includes the faith heroes from the old testament;
the Lord - or Christ;
good - which is what apostles were teaching about and what the patriarchs demonstrated.
In short, the main idea was expressed very clearly by apostle Paul:
"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." (1 Cor. 11:1)
If you think about it, all the human examples, that the Bible tells us to imitate, follow the same principle: they live the way Jesus lived and taught. And it was easier for people to follow a real person that they know than what they tell about Christ.
For us, though, for the modern readers, both Jesus and other apostles are not more than stories and letters that they left. This is why it's important for us to find a tangible and realistic example to follow. To do that, we can use the same principle: find someone whose lifestyle imitates Christ.
I understand that no one is perfect, so I'm not saying you need to start copying someone's life. But we all, in one way or another, learn from someone and imitate someone, so I say, we need to be mindful of who that "someone" is.
In the era of influencers, anyone can become an unconscious example for us, whether it is a popular blogger, an authority figure in school or office, our favorite podcast host, or a movie character. Even if they're not promoting certain morale, their lifestyle influences us. The more time we spend immersed in their content, the more we adopt their image.
What Kind of Example are You?
Now when you analyzed the people who influence you, I suggest you turn your focus on the other side of this question: what kind of example are you?
I remember, when I was a little kid, my family would always sit on the front row in church and my parents would always remind me: "people are watching you". Well, I thought that they were watching me because I was right in from of them, but turned out that people are always watching. Most of the time someone notices your behavior and your reactions. And often people start imitating you, whether they know it or not. This is why it's so important to be a good example!
Trust me, you don't have to be a pastor or a blogger to be seen (though it's hard to deny that more eyes are pointed at those people). Now social media allowed us, average people, to put our lives on display, plus others watch us in our regular lives as well.
Can I be as bold as Paul and say "imitate me"? Can I be sure that people that read my blog, watch my stories, or meet me in the office, will learn something good from me? Will they see the image of Christ in my actions? Would they want to become closer to God?
How Can I Imitate Christ?
One of the best examples that Jesus showed His disciples is described in the Gospel of John. That evening the Teacher himself washed the feet of his disciples and then said:
"If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you" (John 13:14-15)
The simplest summary of this story is love in action. While still on earth, Jesus showed this love to us in many ways, teaching, healing, praying, and simply listening to people. Then He told us to continue His ministry, and that's why his disciples, other apostles, and ministers of the first church were showing God's love to people in the most difficult circumstances, and God's church grew and spread.
Now it's our turn. Can we humble our flesh and wash the feet of those who are near? Can we follow the example of our Teacher and sacrifice something precious to glorify the Father? Can we become good examples for those around us? Can we teach them how to wash their neighbors' feet?
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