NOW! Emulate.

Have you ever been doing something or saying something and an outer body transformation takes place that stops you in your tracks and you swear you just heard your parents voice?  We all pick up these small little characteristics from those around us.  Most often our parents or those that raised us.

The other day I was on the business end of a shovel and rake and going at a pile of dirt like a gopher in a new hole.   In the monotony of loading dirt into the wheelbarrow, I notice I was doing this “thing” with my mouth.  It was kind of set off to the side, slightly open, tongue wedged between my back teeth and I was focused.  I know that doesn’t paint a clear picture for you… but understand that it was something that caused me to pause.  My dad does that… when he’s focused on a task.

I was emulating my father.

I’m sure you’ve had moments in your life where you heard your parent’s voice inside yours.  Or you’ve glanced into the mirror and saw your ancestry.  But that’s not what I’m talking about here.  I’m looking for those things that you do that comes directly from being around someone else.  Some saying, or catch phrase, or perhaps a gesture of some kind.

We are shaped by the things we see and are exposed to on a regular basis.  My daughter is slowly becoming a little version of me (Lord please help her… we don’t need two goofballs in the house).  It’s fun to watch, but it’s also very sobering.  What if I were drinking heavy at night… yelling at my wife… cursing the world and life… hitting her?  What would she become if that was who I was?  I know this seems a little drastic, but let’s listen to the point here.

We become who we allow to lead us.  We become who we hang around.  Unless you are less than 1/10 of 1% of men out there… you don’t cut you’re own path.  Someone or something is shaping you.  Now, here comes the lame realization… “birds of a feather, flock together” – mom was right.

Christ Jesus was very aware of this.  In fact, the entire Ancient Jewish culture was built around education and emulating fathers who emulated fathers who emulated God and Abraham.  Being a disciple was a HUGE deal in the days of Jesus.  If you were not following God… you were following evil.  The writer of Hebrews tells us not to stop gathering in the company of believers:

²⁵not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.  - Hebrews 10:25

When we get away from those people around us who are giving us glimpses of real life and man sized faith, we are left alone to our own devices and someone else will begin shaping us.

In Acts, we find what the guys were doing when they met together:

⁴²They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. - Acts 2:42

These men knew and Christ Jesus knew that in order for faith to grow and for lives to be transformed, there was no option than to be in the presence of Godly men who we can lean on and emulate.

We all have faults and fail from time to time, but how we get back up is the balance of the story.  Surrounding yourself with people who are striving for the same goal will change and shape your life in such a way that you will begin to emulate them without even knowing it.

If you find yourself in a place or doing things you don’t want to do… stop for a minute and ask yourself if this is something that you want your children to emulate.  Is the life you are living something you want others to follow?  You may not be a leader by your own admission, but you can be absolutely certain that someone is emulating you (most often from a distance).

Place your eyes on Christ today.  Pick up on the things that He teaches.  Care for the fatherless, the widows, the orphans, the oppressed, and love your neighbor as yourself.  Give your entire strength to learning how to love God with all you have.  Do this and you will find yourself emulating Christ.  In turn… you will be a witness and an influence that goes far beyond the 3 square feet your sitting in right now.

May you begin to emulate your Father today.

Peace,
Greg
Acts 4:31

About

Welcome, and thanks for dragging yourself over to Live|Bold! My name is Greg Arnold and I am pumped to see you here. This interactive online community is here to point every man toward the cross. Whether you have been a follower of Christ for ages, or you are just stumbling into this strange new world of faith, we have something of value to offer you. This online e-zine is a cross between a blog, a social network, a resource center, and a pulpit. My hope is to inspire you to live your faith on the outside and be a real man for God. We need you in the fight.