July 10, Followable
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
I Corinthians 11:1
Are you followable? Can you say with confidence to others, “follow me as I follow Jesus?”
If someone were to track your daily steps without you knowing, would they conclude, “that person truly follows Jesus”?
Over the years, I have been blessed with opportunities for ministerial students to “intern” with me for the purpose of learning some of the daily experiences of pastoral ministry. One such student, a young man from Zambia, was such a blessing to me. I will never forget his deep and booming accent as he would begin each day of his internship with, “now pastor, I need to know exactly what you are doing as a pastor and why?” He would then join me in every step of my day (every conversation, meeting, counseling appointment, home visit, etc.) to understand and to learn? How’s that for accountability?
What if someone decided tomorrow to follow you throughout your day to discern your life as a follower of Jesus? And suppose they would begin each day with, “Now Christian, I need to know exactly what you are doing as a follower of Jesus and why?” Feeling uncomfortable at such a prospect? Most would.
The Apostle Paul did not hesitate to welcome such an opportunity amid the sometimes confusing challenges of faith lived out in a secular culture. “Can I do this or that and still be a follower of Jesus,” was a question heavily considered by many in the first century church. Such controversies as, “eating meat from the marketplace offered to idols” held many Christians in its sway. (The issue of whether to eat meat that had been associated with idol worship was such a significant issue that Paul maintained the discussion from chapter 8 to chapter 10 of I Corinthians.) The problem was that most, if not all meat available in the Corinthian marketplace and at public social gatherings would have likely fallen into this category of idol meat. Should Christians buy such meat? Should they eat such meat if served at someone’s home? Paul answered the controversy about idol meat not with a new teaching on idolatry but by urging the Corinthians to consider how their actions could affect others. He encouraged them to refrain from any activity that would cause others to stumble with the powerful charge, “whatever you do, eat or drink, do everything for God’s glory” (I Corinthians 10:31). Paul then offered this powerful invitation: “follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul’s message was essentially, “if you are confused about what to do, follow me as I follow Jesus.” This does not demonstrate religious piety or over-confidence, but rather responsibility to one’s own walk as a Christ follower.
So today, can you say without hesitation that if someone is confused about how to live in this present culture as a follower of Jesus, they can simply watch you and learn? I hope you feel that this is not only a possibility, but a reality. Your life is already being watched.
Be that person someone can follow so that the path of your example leads directly to Jesus. Welcome the opportunity for someone to follow you, not in piety or over confidence, but as an example that directs others to the Christ.
Be followable! And watch as God does something amazing with your example as a Christ follower.
Blessings.
