A Life Worth Imitating

We don't even dare to think "Imitate me" much less come right out and say it. But whether we say it or think it or not, people are doing it. We set the tone for those who are watching.Here we are in the third part of our series, 1st Century Leadership in a 21st Century World, looking at how we can be better leaders by studying the examples of Paul and the Thessalonian church.  By now, you may be looking around and saying, “Who?  Me??  A leader??  You’ve GOT to be kidding!”

But no, friend, I can assure you …. I am not kidding.  I’m talking to you … or rather, Paul is talking to you.

Leadership is define on Wikipedia as

“a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”

So let’s break that down …..

A process of social influence   Do you have a website or a blog?  A Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account?  If so, you are engaged in social influence.  Check!

Enlist the aid and support of others  Do you encourage people to follow you on your social media?  Or read your blog or listen to your podcast?  Purchase your course, ebook or other product? Then you are enlisting the aid and support of others.  Check!

Accomplishment of a common task  Are you working to share the message of hope in Jesus through your own unique story and passion?  That’s the common task we are accomplishing.  Check!

In today’s environment where way too many people get their news and develop their opinions based on social media, we ALL have the opportunity to be leaders in the common task of advancing God’s kingdom.  And that is why we, as leaders, are called to a higher standard of integrity.

People are watching.  Friends of friends are seeing our posts.  We are doing life with people we’ve never met. It’s a little bit crazy.  But this is not a 21st century phenomenon.  In fact, the situation may have been even a worse in the 1st century.  Paul tells the Thessalonians:

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 (NIV)

Paul’s followers were not seeing him only through carefully crafted letters that showed all the great things he did and his Instagram-worthy perfect Christian life.  They saw him up close and personal, every day, living and working alongside him.

They saw the good days when hearts were healed and changed.  They saw the bad days when he battled the infamous thorn in his flesh. They saw him encourage and celebrate people who brought him joy.  They saw him correct and re-direct people who disappointed him.

And in that most intimate of settings, Paul had the boldness to say, “Imitate me.

That seems a little cheeky, huh?

Before we accuse Paul of arrogantly thinking he is all that and a bag of chips, let’s look at what he says to imitate.

Imitate the way I serve people so they might be called into the Kingdom.

Imitate my faithfulness under opposition to spread the gospel of Christ.

Imitate the radical change Jesus has made in my life.

Imitate me as I imitate Christ.

That is a life worth imitating.

Today, we don’t even dare to think “Imitate me” much less come right out and say it.  But whether we say it or think it or not,  people are doing it.

We set the tone for those who are watching. That doesn’t mean we have to always be perfect.  No one expects that.

It does mean we need to do our best to imitate Christ. We put people before projects.  We offer grace when others make mistakes.  We ask for forgiveness when we mess up. We are exceptionally honest and hold to the highest ethical standards.

We live and work among people so that if they choose to imitate us, they may be just a little bit closer to imitating Jesus.

 

Resources

Read the other posts in the series here:
1st Century Leadership in a 21st Century World

And click below to receive the posts in your inbox!

 

These are some of my favorite resources for Jesus-girls learning to lead:

Propel        

She Leads Daily      Grit & Virtue

Linking up with Holly Barrett at #TestimonyTuesday, Holley Gerth at Coffee For Your Heart, Crystal Storms at #HeartEncouragement, Natalie Venegas at Salt & Light, Susan B. Mead at #DanceWithJesus, Arabah Joy at Grace & Truth

8 thoughts on “A Life Worth Imitating”

  1. Amen, Christa! It’s difficult when we see only our mistakes and wonder why we’re putting ourselves out on display. But God calls us to live for Him no matter where we are and who sees us. So whatever we say or do matters and we do it all through His strength. Doing that is clearly worth following and imitating!

    Reply
  2. So good, Christa! As I am busy pursuing and walking in what God has called me to in my writing, my friend and mentor has encouraged me to get grounded with the women at our church not just the ones online. They will see my life (the good, the bad and the ugly), and I will be more authentic when I am leading women through my writing. Good word!

    Reply
  3. The New Testament leaders certainly were mastering the servant-leadership model. We’re so caught up in platform and visibility in our world that it’s a rare leader who can find grace to lead from the heart and not be distracted by notoriety.

    Reply
  4. Wow…this hit home for me. People are always watching…and without even asking them to, they are imitating. I think back to all the “complaining” posts on facebook…I think it’s time to make a change.

    Thanks for this!

    Reply
  5. This was a perfect read for today! I’m currently stepping into a leadership role I never expected to (in “real life”). This was a dose of encouragement and conviction at the same time, thank you!!

    Reply
  6. Yes! We are called to imitate Christ. Even if we are not perfect or fall short, if we were to just look up to Him and learn from His words and actions, we are still going to be trying to imitate Jesus Christ! How do we imitate Him? By looking and analyzing everything that we say, write, and even post online! People are watching, as you said, and this is the real deal: they may only see Christ through you! Thank you for sharing these wise words!

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Let's Do

our-thing

Help For

your-thing

Is your to-do list out of control?

Grab my best to-do list tips and learn to overcome the de-railers in your week

WHY I DO MY THING

Do A New Thing equips busy communicators and leaders with project management and problem solving skills so they can turn their big ideas into a successful ministry or business.

Privacy, Disclaimers and Disclosures

LET'S CONNECT

Contact Me